- 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”

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Dialogues&Stories (Life, School, Classroom)

- FRIENDS: The person I am

A study group discusses a text book on how to focus on studying and not procrastinate

Student 1

If I follow what this book is saying, I will lose all my friends. I never miss a phone call, never… I spent a whole weekend with a friend before an exam on Monday, she knocked on my door. She was having a baby. Ah, it was an amazing! Yes…I am a procrastinator!

Student 2

I am a procrastinator too. People count on me, I always pick up the phone

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Dialogues&Stories (Life, School, Classroom)

- FUTURE: Passing on information...

• What I learn on school, I pass to my teens and their friends
  

Student 1
I am mom of two teenagers. I am like a friend. I know children use to have lots of problem at home so my house is always full of their friends. I like my house to be a safe environment for them, a place they know they can come and stay... Now I have a computer and internet. I am going to do tests with them, and helping them with the learning strategies.

Student2
You should take note of the password. I hope the password will work after the course is completed. Your idea of teaching other teenagers is great!

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

- FUTURE: Believe and live

Student 1
I lost my housing grant. But it is ok; I am working as a seller, a good job. Thanks Lord I finished my high school. I’m still thinking about further my education in college, though. But for now, I need to make some money to spoil my children. They had been very patient with me; I have given them hard life...I'm sorry I didn't attend your workshop. Getting together to write our own stories was a cool idea. Did it work?

Student 2
The library support was great and 9 people were registered and 8 finished it! The library has a list of people interested to attend another one! I made friends who gave me gifts on Christmas, recipes of Canadian food and recommendation letters for job. From our class, W2 participated (coming late everyday because of her work) and W3 could not attend the workshop full time but we wrote a story about the time she could talk to animals, like her aboriginal ancestors!

Student 1
Do you believe it?

Student 2
She believes and she was a child with a secret life. She says she would be called schizophrenic like many aboriginals in jail.

Student 1
She has the right to believe as I believe I’m going to find a good man now that my children are finishing high school! I’ve been widow for 8 years!

Student 2
Remember what the teacher said? Believe is the first step to make things happen! W2 believed her story was to be written. One day, she told a co-worker she was late to come to the workshop, and guess what? This co-worker’s family has just opened a small publishing company... their interest: teenager stories…and they are editing her story!

Student 1
Wow!... Do you know about our other classmates? I know five of us graduated high school and that W8 is healthier now and came back to study.

Student 2
Our teacher is teaching ESL on College. M1 got a good construction job, I guess he will take long to come back to graduate. I know it is a good company 'cause in the other class, a student (in his 20's) who works there told me he worked as an Egyptian slave but his paycheck was great...great enough to him write "I WON" as a special saying on his car plate...a brandy new black high wheels truck

Student 1
Yeah...M1 used to run between jobs, saying he needs money to have a girl.

Student 2
Yeah...it is sad that he got the girl he wanted and she moved away. She was aboriginal like him, I saw him drunk because he was celebrating and then because he was let alone. I saw him drunk three times! Our city (in North of Ontario) is challenging not only for immigrants. This is why it is still cheap to live here...W2 and W3 are working at the call center. They passed the training period and are making $10 or more an hour. But people are moving, M2 is living in British Columbia. M3 moved to Vancouver with his girlfriend ... Who are staying are the aboriginals and the moms. Mom W6 is living with her mom... I am trying to stay but I’ve recently applied for three jobs here. One was canceled, and two preferred young people (they are sponsored by governmental grants). Step by step, I have learned about grants for aboriginals, grants for youth as well the challenge of living in a bilingual city... I hope we will be in touch through email and phone!

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Dialogues&Stories (Life, School, Classroom)