Is Preschool too competitive?

I know competition is good, and it's healthy. But when should competition begin with our students or children? Preschool is an exciting time for many youngsters. Is that when should we introduce competition? Or should we do it between adults?

Here is an interesting article that I found on Slate.com:

The Getting-Into-Preschool Puzzle
Can an admissions director really evaluate a 2-year-old?By Emily Bazelon
Posted Thursday, March 15, 2007, at 2:50 PM ET
It's March, which means it's time for a spate of stories about the high comedy of preschool admissions. In certain cities—or rather, in certain well-off circles in a few cities—getting a 2- or 3-year-old into a coveted school is an enormous preoccupation. The preschool wars have adopted the weapons and lingo of the college wars: consultants, résumés, essays, safety schools, and early decision($). This year, a film crew is coming to New York to document the preschool version of Survivor. And the New York Times and the Washington Post have parodied the benighted admissions process—with missives by groveling parents and chirpy advice-givers (when filling out the admissions form, "describe your dream date, and not your actual child").

Click link here: http://www.slate.com/id/2161913/?GT1=9231

Does this say something about our teachers?

OK, I found this news item on MSNBC: Texting 101: Don’t send pot messages to cop
Kentucky teacher sent trooper drug-deal details intended for dealer. When I read this article, I thought first of what a shame an educator who teaches children is accused of dealing with drugs.

Then I thought how embarrassing as an educator, to make an interesting mistake by sending the text details to law enforcement. Maybe tougher teaching standards should be enforced in college for future teachers, and detailed background checks.

Is it me, or is this some kind of irony that this educator sent her drug details to a police officer?

Read the story and groan or laugh...http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17307671/?GT1=9033 .

Is pay everything?

I got this in an email. I thought I would post it here. If you are the author or you know who is the author of this forward, let me know , so I can put it here. It is nice and ideal, but is this realistic?


WHAT TEACHERS MAKE

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?"

He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."

To stress his point he said to another guest; "You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?"

Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, then began...)

"Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor. I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental...

You want to know what I make?" (She paused again and looked at each
and every person at the table.)

I make kids wonder. I make them question. I make them criticize.

I make them apologize and mean it. I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions. I teach them to write and then I make them write .

I make them read, read, read. I make them show all their work in math.

I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity.

I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.


Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life. (Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.)

"Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, I can hold my
head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant...

You want to know what I make?

I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make?"