Posted by Chef Murph on March 03, 1999 at 17:18:29:
In Reply to: Re: a question for all culinary educators posted by John on February 21, 1999 at 18:05:56:
: d
I agree with what you have written except for the part about not being willing to make a stand.
The problem runs much deeper than teachers. Our whole society is willing to allow mediocrity to be their standard. What we can do is try to make the best of a bad situation.
I taught twenty years ago and left academia to pursue a career as a chef because I taught in a school which followed the practice of passing students even though they did not master the material. I refused to change student grades to pasing ones but I was only one of many. I could not fight the fight alone so I gave up and left teaching.
I am happy to say that I returned to education three years ago now teaching culinary arts. I was lucky enough to combine two of my true loves.
What I have found is that no one fought the fight against advancing students in the time I was gone. Students still cannot do what they need to be able to do. In fact I think it has actually gotten worse if that is posssible.
What I do now is to help teach them English, math and basic science through my own program. I am sure history is only a few years away. It takes a lot of time away from my own curriculum but what are we to do? Give up? Not this time!
Some get it but many still do not. All I can do is help the willing and not lose my mind over the ones that don't care or don't try. I help the willing and the caring. It's at least some of the those who would otherwise be total losers. I know it isn't the best outlook but what are a few fighters to do against the odds they face?
Chef Murph