Critical Essay on I Just Wanna Be Average by Mike Rose

Introduction

We will be looking at the main themes and summary of "I Just Wanna Be Average" Mike Rose's work. Mike Rose's reading, "I Just Wanta Be Average", discusses the shortcomings of Our Lady of Mercy, a vocational school in Los Angeles. He also talks about education in general and vocational education in particular. Rose gives a vivid picture of what it was like being a student at Our Lady of Mercy. He describes everything, from the experiences of a 16-year old pimp/drug dealer to encountering racism from his teacher. Rose directs his criticisms at educators by describing it anecdotally. This makes it clear that vocational training is not helping but hindering students. He learned that even though many of his classmates were mislabeled as misfits or unruly, they were all intelligent and capable. 126).

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Rose begins his essay by explaining what it was like to ride two buses to Our Lady of Mercy and other regular stops. Rose goes on to explain how he got into vocational education. There are assessments and tests as with all schools. He was required to take the Stanford-Binet IQ Test. Based on his results, he would be placed in an appropriate educational track. Mike Rose was placed in vocational education because he had been matched with another student who had the same last name. He didn't know this, nor did his parents. However, he was placed in the vocational education program as "a euphemism to the bottom level" (pg124). He stayed there almost two years, even though his parents knew there was a problem with his placement. This was the first time that the educational system failed. This is because students often fall through the cracks, and are just pushed along.

He then goes on to describe the different types of teachers and their extremely poor teaching abilities. His teachers were often unprepared and on autopilot. They were often verbally abusive and physically violent. Rose recalls his first day at gym. His teacher asked Rose, "Rose?" Rose responded, "Italian Sir," "Italian!" Ho. Rose, can you hear the sound that a bag of shit makes as it hits the wall?" "No sir," "Wop!" (pg. 125. Wop is an abbreviation for Italian. According to him, his teacher used to paddle the children in order to make men out of them. The first year of his homeroom English teacher was also abusive. His second year he had Spanish class with a tiny man (pg. He was taught Spanish by a "tiny man" (pg.125), who had little control over his rowdy class. There was a fight in his Spanish class one day, and Mr. Montez lost all control over the situation. Rose stated that everyone felt strange about the ending. Rose said that they had "pushed and pushed, and bullied their ways to freedom that both scared them and embarrassed them." (pg. 126). Students who don't make it in the academic world go to the vocational track. Rose describes it as a "dumping ground." Rose explained that the interaction between his teachers and students was important. It seems fair, impartial, without disdain and fair. It also shows what it's like to be stuck in vocational education. Rose claims that there were not many good teachers in the program and most of them could not relate to students. Rose believes that the vocational system is responsible for not providing teachers with a reason to be teaching and less incentive for students to pay more attention.

Most students and him weren't up-to-standard in education and had learned wrong ways to do things. Teachers were often lacking in "inventiveness" (pg. 126) to help bridge this gap. He was not being engaged because he felt he was doing enough to make ends meet. 126). He continues to explain that his turning around in school began in his second biology class. He said that Brother Clint "probably slowed down or omitted some of the fundamental biology" (pg. 128). He might have missed some things, but the syllabus was the exact same for vocational classes as it was for regular or general education classes. He was a solid instructor, who could adapt to the class's needs and was flexible with them. Brother Clint noticed Rose was excelling in class, and after reviewing his records, he discovered a mistake in Rose's placement. He recommended that Rose start college prep classes. He was soon placed in the prep classes. Rose stated that it was strange that his placement in and out of vocational education was out of Rose's control. It's amazing that only one person was able to spot and correct his placement issue. He is essentially saying that one person can make a difference. This is significant because it shows that teachers and educators were simply doing the minimum. Nobody had seen his potential before this. Rose writes about his fellow students to paint a more accurate picture. This helps him to see the school from his perspective.

Although none of the vocational education students were stupid, that was the impression given by teachers. Rose's job is to help students see how depressed they can be or how withdrawn they are. Ken Harvey was a hooded man and a car enthusiast. Rose had heard one of his most memorable comments in religious class. Harvey was asked by the teacher for his thoughts on the subject. Roses still remember Harvey's words to this day. Roses said, "I just want average" (pg. 127). Rose believed Harvey was being stupid when he said it (pg. 127). Rose sees Harvey was struggling when she looks back. Harvey is just one example of how many kids who are in difficult circumstances like Harvey learn to protect themselves by accepting the social role they are placed in. Rose says, "Reject the frustration and confusion by openly identifying yourself as the Common Joe." "Follow the average" (pg. 128). He means that individuals who are stuck in a situation will reduce their ability to do the minimum or maintain an average level of performance to protect themselves and not lose their life. This is because anyone who has ever been in this position or any student can understand how difficult life and education can be. You might decide to either get by or abandon all education.

Rose was adjusting to college prep classes when he started them. Rose said that he was "erratic". He was erratic (pg. He struggled with the adjustment. Like many others, his frustrations with mathematics stemmed from the fact that he didn't have the basics taught to him correctly. Although he had a basic understanding of basic equations, his previous teachers failed to engage him. This made it more frustrating and embarrassing to work with. It is important to understand how someone would behave in such a situation. His father fell ill around his junior year. He died not long afterwards. He continues on to his senior year, and he had an incredible impressionable teacher named Jack MacFarland. He taught English and seemed to be a good teacher. Rose stated that Jack MacFarland "couldn't have come into mine at a better moment" (pg. 131). His engaging teaching style attracted him in. Roses had rekindled their love for reading and creative writing thanks to MacFarland. Rose was mentored by MacFarland and encouraged him to do what he enjoyed. Rose wouldn't be the man that he is today if it weren't for MacFarland. Rose continues to tell the reader about MacFarland's teaching methods and how his compassion impacted him. Rose was rekindled by the spark of MacFarland's teachings. Rose almost gave up as many others before him.

Conclusion

He is essentially telling the reader that there is hope for children, not just for everyone, but for some. The vocational education system and regular education need to be overhauled. However, too many children are fighting for it all. We need educators who can help every student succeed, even if they have no formal education. Although there is no easy solution, you can still see the problems in each student's situation. Some students don't know what to do to make the gap close. You will meet people who can make a difference in your life. Keep going and listen to the guidance that you receive. It is all about the individual's perspective and how they move forward in their lives. Get to the goal.