Los Angeles: High School Students Give Their Graduation Speeches

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1. Linda Mary Noble says:

   June 13, 2016 at 9:29 pm

   Thank you for your inspiration for me to post below a united student voice that emerged from a 20X35 foot room I shared with 120 children this year …

   The day before they take their NYS Global History Regents exam, the students reflected not on common core, tests or testing, but on our relationship.

   In the spirit of Maya Angelou — ‘I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’

   My dream has come true. The students have shown growth beyond measure.

   Students’ selected quote …
   “A teacher presents the past, reveals the present, and creates the future.” KD

   Student Text …
   “We wanted to say thank you for a year filled with educating, inspiration hard work and happiness. As we go our separate ways, the class of 2019 would like to say thank you for always teaching us how to be unique, push boundaries become our own person no matter what the world says. Thank you for teaching us to stand for justice no matter what side the rest of the world may be on, you teach us the true meaning of history not just a bunch of facts but the truth, there is so much more that we would like to thank you for. BUT MOST OF ALL THANK YOU FOR LETTING US MAKE HISTORY OURS AND BEING WHO WE ARE IN OUR OWN WAY.”

   In an era of judgement and blame, teaching is my inspiration.
   Linda Noble,
   Brooklyn College Academy
   Social Studies Teacher

   Reply
2. SomeDAM Poet says:

   June 14, 2016 at 7:46 am

   It’s also good to know that so many young people support Bernie sanders.

   It means the stupid old, corrupt ways are on their way out.

   The older generations of which I am a part have really screwed things up quite badly.

   The irony in all the talk about poor schools and unprepared students is that the evidence indicates that young people are actually much better critical thinkers than we older generations are.

   Hopefully, there will be something left when they finally take the reigns.

   Reply
   • Duane Swacker says:

     June 14, 2016 at 8:42 am

     “. . . are actually much better critical thinkers than we older generations are.”

     Way too many of the “Baby Boom Generation” sold out to the man.

     Reply
   • SomeDAM Poet says:

     June 14, 2016 at 9:04 am

     Duane,

     As Feynman pointed out, critical thinking is really about not fooling yourself — and that means overcoming the tendency to rationalize untruths and overall destructive actions for selfish reasons.

     I could be wrong, but I sense a difference between young people today and baby boomers of the sixties. Many of the young people back then wanted to drop out (and drop acid), but what i see today is just the opposite.

     But maybe you are right and young people today will succumb to the same selfishness that the baby boomers succumbed to.

     I sincerely hope not.

     Reply
3. Mary Ollie says:

   June 14, 2016 at 2:50 pm

   These are not graduation speeches but are speeches by graduates. The kids get it!

   Students and the West Ada district have told Idaho’s chief reformster group to buzz off!

   I think you will like the video.

   Link to You Tube: https://youtu.be/sPFqX-mF9XI Link to article: http://www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/education/article83524727.html

   Reply