If your teachers considered you to be less than a stellar student, did

1. 85

   gmwilliamsposted 9 years ago

   
   YOU surpass your teacher's expectations of you, achieving a high level of success?

   replyreport
   1. 59

      janesixposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      A few times.
      
      When I wasn't skipping class.

      replyreport
   2. 0

      mbuggiehposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Yes...most definitely.
      
      My 6th grade teacher told my mother I would probably never graduate from high school.
      
      I ended up graduating from college---several times,  and finding a career as a college professor.
      
      PS: We will assume for argument's sake that being a college professor is a "high level" of success...

      replyreport
      1. 0

         Beth37posted 9 years agoin reply to this

         Good story! Good for you.

         replyreport
         1. 0

            mbuggiehposted 9 years agoin reply to this

            

            replyreport
      2. 85

         gmwilliamsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         Being a college professor is considered to be highly successful.   How DARE that 6th grade teacher say that to you!  Always prove the negaters wrong, never SUCCUMB to their NEGATIVITY!

         replyreport
         1. 0

            mbuggiehposted 9 years agoin reply to this

            Exactly!

            replyreport
   3. 0

      mbuggiehposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      And by the way: I love the image you've used for this forum. Very interesting choice indeed.

      replyreport
      1. 85

         gmwilliamsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         Thank you.  So many teachers do not realize that less than stellar students can REALLY SURPRISE them.    There was a student in my elementary school who would be classified as LACKluster; however, she went on to work in radio while the stellar student whom everyone bragged about NEVER fulfilled her promise, she never achieved anything of note.

         replyreport
         1. 59

            janesixposted 9 years agoin reply to this

            Why does she have to achieve "something of note"? How do you know she didn't? Was she happy with her life? How do you know she didn't feel she was successful in her own life?
            
            Name some things that are of NOTE. I'm not sure working in a radio station is that notable.

            replyreport
            1. 0

               Beth37posted 9 years agoin reply to this

               I was a DJ off and on from '93-'02. You sit in a small room, making idle chat while the same songs play over and over. I can tell you, it's not very notable. lol The only interesting thing was learning to edit copy in the early 90's. But that was before they did it on computers. It's much simpler now.

               replyreport
            2. 85

               gmwilliamsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

               Well, the LACKluster student was near the bottom of the class.  The teachers taught that she was intellectually challenged or obtuse.  This student attended vocational school and the last time I saw her, she was in a high position in a radio station.   The stellar student whom the teachers heap praise and accolades did not fare so well in high school; other calamaties occurred to her and she never fulfilled her potential(her mother related, her mother believed her to be an utter failure).

               replyreport
               1. 59

                  janesixposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                  You didn't answer my questions. You basically just repeated what you already said.
                  
                  Why won't you address my questions?

                  replyreport
                  1. 85

                     gmwilliamsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                     The mother of the stellar student informed me that the stellar student got pregnant as a teenager and was forced to marry by the mother.  The mother asserted that her daughter never attended college and was miserable in her marriage and in her life.   The daughter was relegated to taking a Mcjob. No, the stellar student WASN'T happy with her life but is RESIGNED to it! 
                     
                     The LACKluster student, on the other hand, ended up owning a radio station.   Now, this student was near THE BOTTOM of my elementary school class.  Her average in elementary school was 70 while the stellar student's average was 98.

                     replyreport
                     1. 59

                        janesixposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                        But how is owning a radio station an accomplishment?

                        replyreport
                        1. 85

                           gmwilliamsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                           Okay, she is a millionaire as a result and the elementary schoolteachers believed that because of her  70 average, she would be relegated to extremely menial jobs.  The elementary schoolteachers believed her to be quite mentally obtuse, some even making fun of her in front of the students. One stated that she would be sweeping the streets or working in a kitchen!

                           replyreport
                           1. 59

                              janesixposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                              Working in a kitchen is a job. At least someone working in a kitchen is willing to work.
                              
                              Becoming a millionaire is not an accomplishment. Having a lot of money is not an accomplishment. Doing something worthwhile, that helps other people is an accomplishment.

                              replyreport
                        2. 0

                           mbuggiehposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                           I think that owning any successful business---including a radio station, is an achievement.
                           
                           How is it not an achievement?
                           
                           It is possible to achieve and make money. History is replete with people (men and women) who have made important contributions to humankind and who in the process became wealthy.
                           
                           Wealth and worth as a human being---as an achiever, are not mutually-exclusive.

                           replyreport
                           1. 59

                              janesixposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                              In your book maybe. I don't think gaining more wealth than I can comfortably spend is much of an achievement. Sure, I might be able to buy boats and nice houses with pools and lots of $1000 shoes.
                              
                              Show me one completely altruistic millionaire or billionaire, who DOESN"T own more luxuries than they could ever need.
                              
                              I don't think all people who need to be rich are bad people. Some just have overblown survival instinct issues, or control issues. Others, however, are just plain greedy and want to own a bunch of useless expensive, unnecessary crap.

                              replyreport
                              1. 0

                                 mbuggiehposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                                 The truth is that all of us---even those of us participating in this conversation, have much more than we "need". We don't need computers, Internet connections, spare time to chat with each other online, etc.
                                 
                                 Are we greedy because we want the wealth we have in order to afford these things?
                                 
                                 I don't think so.

                                 replyreport
                                 1. 85

                                    gmwilliamsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                                    +1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000-(breaking my rule re: veering off topic), wealth affords one the ability to have a quite comfortable existence with MYRIAD choices and also affords us the opportunities TO HELP others and family members MASSIVELY!  Wealth can be USED to IMPROVE society and to START institutions that would HELP society.  For instance, one can establish scholarships to help poor children attain an education.  One can establish schools and hospitals.   Wealth is not only for self but for OTHERS! 
                                    
                                    Note to self and others: let us stay on topic and discuss the less stellar student and teacher expectations of him/her.

                                    replyreport
                           2. 85

                              gmwilliamsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                              Exactly! I equate achievement with wealth. In fact, achievement and accomplishment oftentimes lead to socioeconomic affluence and wealth if the person works smart, strategize, and ORGANIZE. There is nothing wrong with wealth at all.  In fact, wealth is the difference between living a life of financial freedom and ekeing out a living, always living from hand to mouth.   Wealth is an excellent thing!

                              replyreport
                              1. 59

                                 janesixposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                                 Why? What's wrong with just having enough to live comfortably? A few extra things here and there? Enough savings for security and a plan for retirement, some good insurance. What more do you need?
                                 
                                 Or should I say, want?

                                 replyreport
                              2. 0

                                 Beth37posted 9 years agoin reply to this

                                 There are countless geniuses and contributors to society that live in 3rd world countries.
                                 I still disagree that wealth is the measure of a man or his success.
                                 This is an extraordinary woman who's story you might find amazing.
                                 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPos131P7R8
                                 
                                 (Her book: http://www.amazon.com/Left-Tell-Discove … ft+to+tell)

                                 replyreport
                                 1. 59

                                    janesixposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                                    +1

                                    replyreport
                              3. 0

                                 mbuggiehposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                                 But, I do not think that we can equate wealth and achievement.
                                 
                                 Many people who are never wealthy and who never accumulate wealth have achieved great things.

                                 replyreport
                     2. 59

                        janesixposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                        I agree with your assessment of the first woman. It shows her irresponsibility to have children before she was financially able to support them.

                        replyreport
2. 59

   janesixposted 9 years ago

   Why?

   replyreport
3. 0

   Beth37posted 9 years ago

   My report cards said the same thing every year, "Beth needs to pay more attention during class." School was torture. My daughter's 4th gd. teacher (who my son also had) is an amazing teacher. He is one of those types that studies how the mind works to better see how to reach kids, and studies about all kinds of obstacles they face to help them overcome them.
   
   They have Sat. school twice a year where the parents attend. He was teaching on the Greeks and Romans. It was so interesting, like watching a PBS special. He is so good in the ways that he includes the kids.
   
   I think the secret to becoming a great student is starting out with great teachers. Those men and women who build you up and tell you you can achieve anything. They find their subjects interesting and they never stop learning themselves. What a very difficult job, hats off to the good ones.

   replyreport
4. 85

   jhamannposted 9 years ago

   My English teacher in High School said I would never be a writer.  Although I have taken a career in the Sciences, I think I have done pretty good with my writing.

   replyreport
5. 85

   gmwilliamsposted 9 years ago

   Again, there is NOTHING WRONG with being wealthy.  Being wealthy affords one massive ownership over one's life and destiny.  When one is wealthy, he/she has myriad choices in one's life.  One does not have to live from hand to mouth, forever worrying.  Being comfortable is not enough, I would rather be wealthy.
   
   Being wealthy means travelling to any destination one wants.  It means living beyond a meager existence.  It means going to plays, theatre, and great restaurants.  Being wealthy is THE LIFE!
   
   Being accomplished means having the prerequisite education, a great job/career, POWER/STATUS, and MONEY!  Those variables signify those who are SOMEBODIES in this society. If one does not have the aforementioned, he/she is NOT ACCOMPLISHED!  The wealthier a person is, THE BETTER.  Having money is a GREAT thing, too bad some people HATE and FEAR wealth.  So many people fear and hate wealth and that is why they are in poverty and scarcity, forever struggling.......struggling.........struggling.........
   

   replyreport
   1. 0

      Beth37posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      "Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." MT 19:24
      
      I know you're not a believer so I don't mean to throw a verse at you, but this is where my opinions are based. Did you ever give this kind of teaching any thought? What happens to the rich that their very soul would be affected?
      
      Bill Gates and Oprah give tons to charity, though I doubt it hurts them, to be honest. I mean, if they gave a billion dollars away, I bet they wouldn't miss one meal. I bet they would still have several residences at the end of the night to sleep in. I'm not saying they're bad ppl, *at all.* But what could a verse like this mean? To me, it speaks of the fact that the temptation to desire money and to put it above things that are good and healthy, is incredibly strong.
      
      The Bible speaks of living a simple life and I believe that it is the most desirable.
      I love this verse.
      
      "There are two things, Lord, I want you to do for me
      before I die: Make me absolutely honest
      and don’t let me be too poor or too rich.
      Give me just what I need. If I have too much to eat,
      I might forget about you, if I don’t have enough,
      I might steal and disgrace your name." Prov 30:7-9

      replyreport
      1. 85

         gmwilliamsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         ONE can NEVER be TOO RICH.   Being rich means the difference between living a life of choices and living, worrying about finances from day to day.   Socioeconomic wealth is a beautiful thing for which every thinking person should strive for and attain.  Wealth is a great thing, not EVIL.   If one wants to struggle and not be rich, that is INDEED SAD!
         
         God gave us the power to achieve and become as wealthy as one desires.   Believing in God does not preclude one from becoming wealthy.  It is SAD that some people believe that wealth is evil when it is NOT!   If one has the potential to become wealthy, GO FOR IT!  It was meant to be.   
         
         Abundance is a great thing; God wants humankind to be socioeconomically affluent and to prosper in addition to enjoy the fruits of life.  Being poor and struggling is an affront to the principle of abundance which is made by God.   People can scorn wealth if they wish but wise people embrace and cultivate it.  Why be average when one can be GREAT!

         replyreport
         1. 0

            Beth37posted 9 years agoin reply to this

            I cannot imagine feeling the way you do and ever being content or happy.
            If I had to choose between 1) owning a bunch of things that never brought satisfaction while yearning for more things that didn't bring satisfaction or 2) being content with my needs being met... I would choose the latter every time.

            replyreport
            1. 85

               gmwilliamsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

               Nothing is wrong with being rich.  So you would rather struggle, worrying about living from day to day.  Nope, not me.  I would rather be wealthy enough NEVER TO HAVE A WORRY.  I want to live at the most optimum life-travel and live beyond a mere socioeconomic existence.  Again, wealthy ain't bad and money is indeed glorious.   One can be wealthy and be happy.  In fact, the wealthier, the happier.   
               
               Ask a struggling, impoverished, and/or homeless person if they want to be wealthy.  They would respond with a resounding yes.  Many wealthy people came from impoverished backgrounds.  They grew up poor and struggling and vowed that they never want to undergo and endure that ever again.   To paraphrase the saying," I have been poor and I have been rich and RICH is BETTER.."  Yes, using inductive and deductive logic, being wealthy is far better than being poor or middle class.
               

               replyreport
               1. 0

                  mbuggiehposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                  Do you really think rich people never worry?
                  
                  Do you think rich people are happy all the time; happier than everybody else?
                  
                  Yesterday a tragic news story appeared online. The wealthy American CEO of a bitcoin firm called First Meta was found dead. She apparently killed herself. Her friends report that she was concerned about some problems related to her business, but that she also had other issues; issues related to being a "go-getter" who was obsessed with achievement.
                  
                  This is not the stuff of wealth equals happiness; of wealth equals a cure-all for all of life's troubles; of wealth equals no worries.

                  replyreport
            2. 0

               mbuggiehposted 9 years agoin reply to this

               I agree Beth37.
               
               Wealth is really not everything---not even close.We cannot buy love and friendship---the authentic varieties anyway. We cannot buy happiness and contentment and security.
               
               I don't want to live a life of constant struggle. I don't want to be impoverished. But, there is a great deal of distance between a life of constant struggle and poverty and a comfortable life in which most needs and some wants are met.
               
               I cannot imagine the utter emptiness of living a life that focuses entirely on the accumulation of wealth and things.

               replyreport
         2. 59

            janesixposted 9 years agoin reply to this

            .
            
            
            "Being poor and struggling is an affront to the principle of abundance which is made by God."
            
            
            I finally get it. THAT'S why God doesn't do anything about starvation and destitution in third world countries. How stupid of them to affront God by being poor.

            replyreport
6. 85

   gmwilliamsposted 9 years ago

   Now I have completely veered off subject.  No more digression.  Beth37, you have a right to your premise.  Agree to disagree.
   
   Another case scenario was when I was in high school, my guidance counselor proclaimed that a student with a C average should FORGET about ever attending college.  She declared that a C student was not astute enough to comprehend a college curriculum. 
   
   At my high school, A were the promised ones with B students coming in second.  C students were viewed akin to special ed students at public school, they were considered to be extremely slow.  Many of the A students regularly mocked C students.  The teachers considered the C students to be worthless and totally inferior.

   replyreport
7. 0

   Beth37posted 9 years ago

   The rich get cancer, the stock market crashes, accountants run off to Mexico with all your money, the rich can afford illicit drugs. Ask these ppl if money was enough to satisfy.
   
   http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/20 … cohol-mix/
   
   http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2012 … strickland
   
   http://www.nytimes.com/books/00/04/09/s … -obit.html
   
   http://www.findadeath.com/Deceased/b/Jo … elushi.htm
   
   There is good and bad to every station of life. You never know, the butler may be twice as happy as the lord of the manor. I didn't say I desired being homeless, I just want to be content with my standing.

   replyreport
   1. 0

      mbuggiehposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Exactly.

      replyreport
8. 85

   gmwilliamsposted 9 years ago

   Started a thread on wealth, UNEASY WITH WEALTH AND RICHES?, for those who wish to discuss wealth.   I and others have completely veered off topic.  From now on, let's only discuss the issue of teachers and the less than stellar student.

   replyreport