Monday, March 9, 2009
Stats and Hope: Teenage Girls in Central Ohio
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Thanks to Kara for twittering this video that presents various statistics regarding teenage girls in central Ohio, specifically Franklin county - my home. The information regarding self-image, sex, self-harm, and then (at the of the video) the gap between performance amongst teenage boys is compelling. There are many difficult challenges for young women to overcome.
I especially like the end of the video where the women state, "One girl can change the world." I believe this is true as well. The invitation is made: "Invest in the lives of young women." I believe this is an important call. I try to live it out every day as a teacher. I interact with freshmen through senior students every day, and I often reflect upon how one or two words, a comment on a paper, or a five minute conversation could impact and direct their life.
I can remember passing comments made by teachers. I can remember their disappointed looks, their lack of confidence in my ability to change the world. Honestly, I have a hard time remember those who believed in me. Perhaps it is because it's easier to remember the bad than the good. But if that is the case, all the more reason for me to try to instill dreams, hope, and confidence in young women in central Ohio.
I am so thankful for the privilege of being a teacher. I've stayed in touch with a few students that have graduated and are now two or three years out of high school. Some have young children. Some are traveling across the world. Some are still in Grove City, Ohio. Some won't finish college. Some are planning to get master's degrees.
But I'm certain that all of them have the ability to, and in fact are, changing the world.
Thanks to Kara for twittering this video that presents various statistics regarding teenage girls in central Ohio, specifically Franklin county - my home. The information regarding self-image, sex, self-harm, and then (at the of the video) the gap between performance amongst teenage boys is compelling. There are many difficult challenges for young women to overcome.
I especially like the end of the video where the women state, "One girl can change the world." I believe this is true as well. The invitation is made: "Invest in the lives of young women." I believe this is an important call. I try to live it out every day as a teacher. I interact with freshmen through senior students every day, and I often reflect upon how one or two words, a comment on a paper, or a five minute conversation could impact and direct their life.
I can remember passing comments made by teachers. I can remember their disappointed looks, their lack of confidence in my ability to change the world. Honestly, I have a hard time remember those who believed in me. Perhaps it is because it's easier to remember the bad than the good. But if that is the case, all the more reason for me to try to instill dreams, hope, and confidence in young women in central Ohio.
I am so thankful for the privilege of being a teacher. I've stayed in touch with a few students that have graduated and are now two or three years out of high school. Some have young children. Some are traveling across the world. Some are still in Grove City, Ohio. Some won't finish college. Some are planning to get master's degrees.
But I'm certain that all of them have the ability to, and in fact are, changing the world.
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2 comments:
:) i like this.
Great post Jesse, it made me kinda emotional. I just got a mass e-mail at Tree with this quote
“Correction does much, but encouragement does much more.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
I really think that you are living that out not only in the lives of your students, but others around you. Your confidence and hope in others is really powerful. Keep it up and expand it to those kids who really seem hopeless. It's great to have you as a brother.
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