“So when they say anything,
Say why is it?
Class is in session till the teacher gets a pink slip,
40 to a class
No wonder we delinquent,
Half the school never make it to commencement”
-Blue Scholars “No Rest For the Weary”
Culmination. Completion. Depending who or what group one is referring to these words could have varying definitions. In about a week Pohnpei Catholic School will celebrate the commencement of the 8th grade students whom I have had the honor and distinguish to teach this year. Certain students have spent 9 years at this school and the celebration will be the fulfillment of their academic career so far. Others, new to the community or transfers from different schools will walk alongside as companions on the journey. A small few will go on to top private high schools. Some will go to public school. Some will undoubtedly fall to the wayside, filing in the cycle of deprivation that a lack of education sustains. All are products of a system I have spent time reflecting on and observing and would like to express some thought on.
Amidst the preparation for the ceremony, it was communicated to me how important this day was for the students and parents. Further, that despite not saying their opinions, many parents would have high expectations and would be silently observing the ceremony to a “T.” I remarked to a staff member that I did not remember 8th grade commencement to be such a highly touted affair in my years and in my culture. He grinned and stated, “here in the FSM, we love praising mediocrity.” He chuckled, but I do not think his full intent was humor. Amidst conversations, this idea of mediocrity carries forth throughout my goals and aspirations as a teacher. In my strive for an ideal in education I continually hit this wall of, “that’s just the way it works here,” and “its different than in the states.”
The fact of the matter is, in 9 months of observing, living, and interacting with Micronesians they are not a people I would classify as “mediocre.” They are extremely dedicated to their families, willing to give of time and energy without thought or consideration to themselves. Here no one would ever spend time in the hospital alone, it is simply unfathomable that a family member would not dedicate time, money, and effort to make sure they or another member be with a sick relative around the clock. The sick member takes precedent not only over jobs, chores, and other, but also sleep, food and relaxation. The need of self is unanimously revoked for the need of the sick. This hardly strikes me as mediocre.
Other men I have met subsistence fish during the night because it is a free food source for their family. What struck me is they do this amidst working a 9 to 5 job that often can be physically and mentally demanding. This is always done without complaint, despite the lack of sleep or down time. Hardly mediocre.
Homelessness is fairly infrequent here due to the fact that a family is usually willing to give. People here rarely starve because those who “have” are almost always willing to “give.” Not exactly the sign of mediocrity.
Yet, as an outsider to the culture here I have a mindset based on a Western model. The highlight of that model is striving for excellence in all arenas, particularly education. One must do well in school to go to a good college. A good college gets one a good job. A good job provides for a healthy family. Multiple healthy families make up a striving society. Central to all this is an ever present un-attainable goal, that transcends until one must have a good funeral to reflect that one worked hard, had a good life, a good family, and the cycle continues on and on.
What is mediocrity? And why does MY model allow for its definition in a culture and for a people I am foreign to? Because they culminate their education at 9 years or 11 years with no college diploma or masters? I think not. Some of my students will never graduate high school. Some may certainly never go to college. But completion, success, culmination, and commencement are not measured by pieces of paper, speeches, or fancy robs and hats, at least not in the world I want to live in. True success, true “commencement” lies in the ability of each person to truly wish to better his or her situation. Whether that is by working harder for their family, fishing nights to eat, or studying to further one’s education is of no consequence. All provide a better life, a better world and exists as a converse to any definition of mediocrity.
Say why is it?
Class is in session till the teacher gets a pink slip,
40 to a class
No wonder we delinquent,
Half the school never make it to commencement”
-Blue Scholars “No Rest For the Weary”
Culmination. Completion. Depending who or what group one is referring to these words could have varying definitions. In about a week Pohnpei Catholic School will celebrate the commencement of the 8th grade students whom I have had the honor and distinguish to teach this year. Certain students have spent 9 years at this school and the celebration will be the fulfillment of their academic career so far. Others, new to the community or transfers from different schools will walk alongside as companions on the journey. A small few will go on to top private high schools. Some will go to public school. Some will undoubtedly fall to the wayside, filing in the cycle of deprivation that a lack of education sustains. All are products of a system I have spent time reflecting on and observing and would like to express some thought on.
Amidst the preparation for the ceremony, it was communicated to me how important this day was for the students and parents. Further, that despite not saying their opinions, many parents would have high expectations and would be silently observing the ceremony to a “T.” I remarked to a staff member that I did not remember 8th grade commencement to be such a highly touted affair in my years and in my culture. He grinned and stated, “here in the FSM, we love praising mediocrity.” He chuckled, but I do not think his full intent was humor. Amidst conversations, this idea of mediocrity carries forth throughout my goals and aspirations as a teacher. In my strive for an ideal in education I continually hit this wall of, “that’s just the way it works here,” and “its different than in the states.”
The fact of the matter is, in 9 months of observing, living, and interacting with Micronesians they are not a people I would classify as “mediocre.” They are extremely dedicated to their families, willing to give of time and energy without thought or consideration to themselves. Here no one would ever spend time in the hospital alone, it is simply unfathomable that a family member would not dedicate time, money, and effort to make sure they or another member be with a sick relative around the clock. The sick member takes precedent not only over jobs, chores, and other, but also sleep, food and relaxation. The need of self is unanimously revoked for the need of the sick. This hardly strikes me as mediocre.
Other men I have met subsistence fish during the night because it is a free food source for their family. What struck me is they do this amidst working a 9 to 5 job that often can be physically and mentally demanding. This is always done without complaint, despite the lack of sleep or down time. Hardly mediocre.
Homelessness is fairly infrequent here due to the fact that a family is usually willing to give. People here rarely starve because those who “have” are almost always willing to “give.” Not exactly the sign of mediocrity.
Yet, as an outsider to the culture here I have a mindset based on a Western model. The highlight of that model is striving for excellence in all arenas, particularly education. One must do well in school to go to a good college. A good college gets one a good job. A good job provides for a healthy family. Multiple healthy families make up a striving society. Central to all this is an ever present un-attainable goal, that transcends until one must have a good funeral to reflect that one worked hard, had a good life, a good family, and the cycle continues on and on.
What is mediocrity? And why does MY model allow for its definition in a culture and for a people I am foreign to? Because they culminate their education at 9 years or 11 years with no college diploma or masters? I think not. Some of my students will never graduate high school. Some may certainly never go to college. But completion, success, culmination, and commencement are not measured by pieces of paper, speeches, or fancy robs and hats, at least not in the world I want to live in. True success, true “commencement” lies in the ability of each person to truly wish to better his or her situation. Whether that is by working harder for their family, fishing nights to eat, or studying to further one’s education is of no consequence. All provide a better life, a better world and exists as a converse to any definition of mediocrity.
Also its been awhile, but amidst a confirmation class retreat, confirmation, 8th grade retreat and many other events I have some more pictures:
Mass at the confirmation retreat
Myself and Tim, sunset...thank Luke Ricci for the new KC t-shirt (its the envy of all Micronesia)
At The Village for my 23rd
The kids swimming on the retreat
Me with my students at the completion of the retreat.
