Here’s another commentary that I came across today which I thought was absolutely brilliant in passion, thought, and detail on why we need to quit placing this label on all students. It’s entitled “Stop Complaining About Kids Today” beautifully written by Gary Cole.

It’s a great glimpse into the life of this rural high school in Tennessee where students still have many expectations on them from academics to extracurricular to activities intertwined with their rural history.  Although you may not think that options exist in such a small town, Mr. Cole lists just some of the afterschool activities…“we have Planet Club, Scholars Bowl, Health Occupations Club, Future Farmers, Future Business Leaders, Christian Athletes, Key Club, and Military Club to occupy their time. We have football, baseball, soccer, volleyball, tennis, wrestling, golf, and bowling teams. There’s cheerleading and marching band. And our carpentry class builds houses: three-bedroom residences from the ground up, roofed and sided, just ready to be sold at auction and moved onto someone’s land. (And did I mention that they build two a year, and that the money they raise by selling the houses goes to help the school?)”

I have no doubt that students can find something that they connect with or have a passion to pursue and that’s what we need to provide as adults, as community leaders, as school districts, and as parents.  That’s what we should provide at the least…many avenues and options for students to get their feet wet, to experience for the first time, to find their niche.

I think that when Mr. Cole refers to this misconception, he proceeds to put the blame on himself…“Maybe I don’t do a good job of selling my kids. Maybe I just let it go, when one of my 30-something friends says that kids today are getting worse and worse.” It has nothing to do with not being able to sell your kids Mr. Cole, I think that it has everything to do with the fact that in other places and other cities, such options just don’t exist yet our kids are still looking for something to belong to, something to believe in, something that helps support their interests.  It’s up to those communities to get together and use resources, turn to other communities for ideas and help, and get things in place for the future.

Mr. Cole, you just continue to do the wonderful work you do for your students…and the other towns will follow suit…here’s to you!