Forgotten Class: How modern values are failing our kids

Riley, a first-year teacher, encountered a challenging student named Riley who later became a prisoner. The teacher reflects on the factors that contributed to Riley's fate and questions the impact of modern values on a generation.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 01 January 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Riley, a first-year teacher, encountered a challenging student named Riley who was not easy to handle. Riley arrived late to class, smoked cigarettes, and spoke on her phone, earning the admiration of her fellow 15-year-old classmates. Five years later, Riley was in prison, a fate that was likely to happen according to statistics. However, why was Riley's fate so inevitable? Why do some children fall into the same predictable downwards spirals? A teacher in a challenging school shares stories of the kids she taught and the difficulties they faced, and ponders how our modern values are contributing towards the demise of a generation.

Riley's behavior in class was disruptive and disrespectful, and her fellow students were often influenced by her actions. She was constantly late to class, and her phone use was a constant distraction. She would often speak on her phone during class, and her classmates would follow suit. This behavior was not only disrespectful to the teacher but also to the other students.

One of the main reasons why Riley's fate was so inevitable was her lack of education. She had dropped out of high school and had not completed her GED. This lack of education made it difficult for her to find a job and to support herself. She was also living in a low-income neighborhood, which made it even more difficult for her to get ahead.

Another factor that contributed to Riley's fate was her family situation. Her parents were divorced, and she had a difficult relationship with her father. She had also been involved in a number of criminal activities, including drug use and theft. Her family situation made it difficult for her to get the support she needed to turn her life around.

Despite these challenges, Riley was a bright and talented student. She had a passion for art and music, and she was a talented writer. She had a lot of potential, but she was unable to realize it because of her circumstances.

One of the things that the teacher in the challenging school noticed about Riley was her lack of self-esteem. She was constantly putting herself down and feeling inadequate. This lack of self-esteem made it difficult for her to make positive changes in her life.

The teacher tried to help Riley by providing her with support and guidance. She worked with her to improve her grades and to develop her skills. She also helped her to connect with other students and to build a support network.

However, despite the teacher's efforts, Riley's fate was inevitable. She continued to make bad choices and to engage in criminal activities. She was eventually arrested and sentenced to prison.

The teacher's experience with Riley was not unique. Many teachers in challenging schools face similar challenges with their students. They see students who are struggling with poverty, addiction, and violence. They see students who are unable to realize their potential because of their circumstances.

One of the reasons why our modern values are contributing towards the demise of a generation is the emphasis on individualism. We are taught to focus on our own needs and desires, and we are not taught to think about the needs of others. This emphasis on individualism can lead to a sense of entitlement and a lack of empathy for others.

Another reason why our modern values are contributing towards the demise of a generation is the emphasis on materialism. We are taught to value money and possessions above all else. This emphasis on materialism can lead to a sense of greed and a lack of appreciation for the things that are truly important in life.

In addition to these factors, our modern values are also contributing towards the decline of the family unit. We are seeing a rise in single-parent families, and we are seeing a decline in the number of children who are living with both of their parents. This decline in the family unit can lead to a sense of instability and a lack of support for children.

To address these challenges, we need to make changes in our society. We need to focus on the needs of others and to promote a sense of empathy and compassion. We also need to promote a sense of responsibility and a sense of belonging.

One way that we can promote these values is by providing education to children. Education can help children to develop their skills and to realize their potential. It can also help children to develop a sense of empathy and compassion for others.

In addition to education, we also need to provide support to families. We need to provide support to families who are struggling with poverty, addiction, and violence. We need to provide support to families who are unable to provide for their children.

We also need to address the issue of materialism. We need to promote a sense of gratitude and a sense of appreciation for the things that are truly important in life. We need to encourage people to spend their money and possessions on things that will benefit others, rather than on things that will benefit themselves.

Finally, we need to address the issue of the family unit. We need to promote a sense of stability and support for children. We need to encourage people to stay together and to work together to raise their children.

In conclusion, Riley's fate was inevitable due to her lack of education, her family situation, and her lack of self-esteem. Our modern values are contributing towards the demise of a generation by emphasizing individualism, materialism, and the decline of the family unit. To address these challenges, we need to make changes in our society. We need to focus on the needs of others and to promote a sense of empathy and compassion. We also need to provide education to children, support to families, and address the issue of materialism. By doing so, we can help to ensure that a generation of children is able to realize their potential and to live happy and fulfilling lives.

Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138672567