- PRIDE: I am the expert!

• I survived and I am willing to pass on my experience
  

“Writing my story I wanted to show that I have a lot to say too, I have been through things... I have things to say, I don’t know how to say but I have seen and people don’t know… My problems, I solve alone, I don’t want people to feel sorry for me...it was hard but there are much…oh…much harder lives than mine. I don't need...and my sister is an angel to prove, I kept her innocent...I would not let anybody to touch her, I took care of her”. (Speech from a left brain student who is 18 years old)

• I manage a pretty tide schedule of parties
  

"I am a procrastinator, I am not goal oriented...when it is about school, you know?...I can change, ‘cause I manage a pretty tide schedule of parties and meetings (laugh). I am just not ready for school"

6 am to 6 pm
Schedule

6 pm to 6 am

Schedule

I5OO pub, Cactus and Club 10 are pubs

Main Page(Introduction)
Dialogues&Stories (Life, School, Classroom)

- PRIDE: We are not underachievers!

• Talking about removing the word “underachiever”

Student 1

I don’t like this title …this word "underachiever"

Student 2

You sound upset with this word. What is going on?

Student 1

I don't see myself as an 'underachiever'. In Canada, we can have another meaning for this word. I don't want people to think I don't try my best. I'm an excellent mother and now my children have grown up, I am here finishing high school. I have worked hard to perform as well as I can.

Student 2

I get the idea of using the word "underachiever" from a Simpsons cartoon, the idea of being clever. What I am saying is that people rebel against the system.

Student 1

Let me finish please... I worked hard to fulfill the expectations of my family boss and teachers. I like that the school has high expectations of me, it shows they think I can do better.

Student 2

I see. The word 'Underachiever' would group us with people who don't try hard enough as family members, friends, employees, students. You told me I am having English difficulties, let us look up the word in the dictionary.

Student 1

Yes…let us look up. I am not underachiever. When I do things I do well because I try hard…um…Well, I know what you mean but it is too hard to accept that I was excluded because of the way I learn (right brain). I prefer to believe I was just too busy rising my kids. Now I am coming back and I will be ok.

Student 2(opening the dictionary)

I will see the etymology of the word later but I think I get your point, let me read the word in here

Underachiever: somebody who under performs: somebody who or something that performs less well than might be expected, especially a student whose academic results are poor, given his or her intelligence and aptitude.

Underachiever: A student who does not perform as well as the IQ indicates.

Main Page(Introduction)
Dialogues&Stories (Life, School, Classroom)

- PRIDE: We know how to be successful

In a storm, some students went outside to enjoy the rain...

and later:
... one of the soaked students made a speech about smart choices while another laughed out load!

• Proud of my accomplishments but tired of not being a killer
  

Student 1
‘Learning to be more successful’ might be what some students expect, but I already know how to be successful, just because I didn't graduate at the same time as the others doesn’t mean I don't know how to be successful. I don’t need to learn, I can teach how to be successful. I love myself plenty!

Student 2
Yeah, exactly. I have friends, I took care of my kids all by myself after the sudden death of my husband, they grew up to be nice kids and here I am…getting my diploma so I will earn more…and I will not stop. I think about college. It is just a different pace, it happens.

Student 3
You said you want to learn to be a KILLER. I want to understand how you see this matter. Do you mean "more risk taking"?

Student 4
I don't want to be more risk taking. My problem is that I am risk taking. Killer is killer... it was annoying that people freaked out with this word!...After Columbine, there are words which students are supposed to avoid…Yes, they will do anything to keep it safe: Shut up!

Student 3
Ah…but what did you mean with the k word (laugh)...er...did you mean success?

Student 4
Hello! Being a killer doesn’t mean being a success; I mean what is success anyways?

Student 3
What do you mean?

Student 2
Killer...he means more goal oriented, goal related to business, career.

Student 5
It’s what happens to me! I am successful in other parts of life…but then I am too busy to think about studying (laugh)

Main Page(Introduction)
Dialogues&Stories (Life, School, Classroom)

- PRIDE: Making difference on people's life

• Proud to support others

“I am mom of two teenagers...my house is always full of their friends...I like my house to be a safe environment for them...I listen to them ...and my home is a organized study environment, I have a shelf with things they need: dictionaries, scissors, rubbers, pen, stickers…it is very cheap on the dollar store and on Value Village (a second hand store). I don’t have money but any parents, if they want, they can afford to offer the children a very good study environment, I'm proof”

Main Page(Introduction)
Dialogues&Stories (Life, School, Classroom)

- PRIDE: Being Canadian, we ain't terrorists

Student 1

Those terrorists should be killed fast. It is revolting

Student 2

We should not think twice. I get upset…It is our taxes. They should spend tax money on education or healthy care… not defending them

Student 1

They just should be killed fast so they serve as example that in Canada they will be caught and killed. The message is “don’t come to here”. They are risen murders, all them are bombers because they rise in rage, in a revenge culture...Since children they are dangerous. It is disgusting. These Palestine’s are barbarians.

Student 3

Barbarians?

Student 2

Canada society is completely different because there is no oppression: you do what you want, everybody has a choice. It makes all difference. We have freedom to improve our lives (when we get ready to) and as they do not have this freedom, they become barbarians, angry, with no respect

Student 3

Respect for what?

Student 4

People who don’t respect their own life can't respect anything...

Student 3

... Let us see a different view? Who are the terrorists?, let us look at a US standpoint...and some common misunderstandings about Muslims and Arabs in America and a standpoint against Bush administration I don't know...

Main Page(Introduction)
Dialogues&Stories (Life, School, Classroom)