Showing posts with label education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label education. Show all posts

Monday, August 13, 2007

Poster Boy for the Insane

Andrew Dysart's picture has been plastered all over local news outlets for his decision to wear a empty holster to his GMU classes--a sign of his desire to carry his permitted handgun on campus, which is currently (and rightfully) banned.

How crazy are these people? Do they exist in a world of such fear that they need their security blankets with them at all times? Maybe Andrew's mom took away his teddy bear at too early an age, thus he feels insecure and paranoid.

What's even crazier? The Express Poll shows that, at least from my Metro station (albeit somewhat ghetto), 60% of the public are in favor of allowing permitted weapons on campus. Right...cause there's so many mass killing sprees. I guarantee this: if they were permitted, a hell of a lot more than 32 people would be killed on campuses every year. Not only that, teachers would feel threatened by students arguing the merits of their answers to tests, pleading for a grade bump-up, etc. Martial law on campus? Yea, that's just what we need to train the next generation in how to be law abiding, peaceful citizens in corporate America.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

The Supreme Chancellor

I love the term "Chancellor"...I think it conveys more power than any other title, even viceroy (probably #2). Today's local news has included Mayor Fenty's appointment of Michelle Rhee as the new Chancellor of DC Schools--Fenty's attempt to seize control of the languishing DC School District and hopefully repair it to at least a moderately functional status.

As a former teacher, I'm left somewhat apprehensive about this choice. DC Council Chairman Gray said, "She hasn't had a vast amount of management experience...There will be a wait-and-see period." I couldn't agree more. Apparently she only has 3 years of public teaching experience, then left to form a non-profit for teacher training. Over the course of these last 7 years I've tutored, TA'd, taught high school and college, and sit on our Education Council, but don't think I could ever handle the role of Chancellor. Hopefully she'll prove me wrong; luckily I don't have kids to worry about.