Delaware by Morgan

Delaware by Morgan - October 2016 Scholarship Essay

If given the opportunity to experience a role reversal in the typical classroom setting; where student becomes teacher, it would be a unique and valuable opportunity to give students what they truly want to be taught; something that is essential and critical to their daily survival in reality. Students in current times are faced with monotonous classes to which they question themselves through frustrated tears: “When will I ever use this again?” It is unfortunate that students devote countless hours and sacrifice significantly important events and social hours for these classes, to which do not properly prepare them for life outside of having an identity other than ‘Student.” As a teacher, I would devise a course that would provide students with a useful abundance of knowledge that they will find themselves using constantly outside of the classroom. If I were to become the professor, the class that I would ultimately teach would have to be “Life Skills” because, more often than not, students are truly ill-prepared for what they encounter within the strange realm of the mature world. This unique course would educate them on concepts they would have otherwise learned unpleasantly through arduous situations. These skills would give them the knowledge they need to properly succeed in an ever-changing world, and how to adapt with the restless world.

The existence of “Home Economics” had benefited students to an extent with gaining experience with cooking and other homely chores; however, it did not allow students to gain the essential knowledge they would need to venture into the world with confidence. Students emerge from school; still unsure of most of their surroundings and ask; “What are taxes, and what do they have to do with me?” “What is a mortgage?” “How do I approach asking for a promotion?” or even “What should I do in a critical scenario where people could get hurt?” I want students to be able to answer these questions! Through my course, these students would be armed with the knowledge of how taxes relate to their income and what percentage is taken from them based upon it, how their mortgage relates to the purchasing of a house, and even in terrifying situations such as physical and sexual abuse, or even facing discrimination. Students are fearful entering the true world because they have no idea what is coming; and more importantly, how to properly handle what they are faced with. This beginners-level “Life Course” would allow them to be better equipped to comprehend more challenging concepts in life and be able to exist independently.

Another gap in the learning curve is that students are taught to “critically think and problem solve” through grueling math courses. These courses do not aid them in critically thinking in a proactive way that is actually applicable to reality. No one faces a lethal car accident and thinks to himself or herself: “What kind of equation can I use to find the angle of elevation between the car and the asphalt?” That is absolutely absurd. What students need is an interactive simulation of them encountering a realistic dangerous situation. This will give them exposure to scenarios that have the probability of occurring. A course in these “Life Skills” would put an emphasis on critical thinking and decision-making that would allow young adults to be better at recognizing and analyzing situations in order to create best possible outcomes. This class would be unlike any other, and yet would provide students with an abundance of information that they would most definitely utilize. Although it is not a class based upon scientific algebra, it is a class that demands common sense, and real-life application. This is the type of class that students desperately need, and therefor I would appreciate to teach in order to provide students with valuable knowledge that they can get through a class that will leave them feeling confident when encountering reality.

Students are instructed on a diverse range of subjects; some of which correspond to the major they intend on dedicating their life to. However, some student’s sign up for these courses and in actuality never utilize what they learned from any of their classes! I would teach a “Life Skills” class because I would want to better prepare students for facing the at times “harsh reality” that is bound to smash into them. I know from personal experience what it is like to feel completely unprepared for the unknown inevitable, and I want to save students from this feeling of lack of confidence, fear, and doubt. Through my academic subject, I would be able to ensure a feeling of security within students that they would be able to attack any obstacle that dare come their way. I would teach this class, because if I were a student, this is they type of class I would desperately sign up for. You can never have too much preparation when facing the world. Reality is completely unpredictable. The better you are at adapting to the unpredictable nature of the world, the more likely you are to succeed. In the grand scheme of things, success is the ultimate goal, and this “Life Skills” subject is a necessity to reach the peak of success.