Letter: Some kids can’t be motivated

Monday, Dec. 2, 2002 | 8:44 a.m.

Having taught in the Clark County School District for the last 24 years, I find that I must respond to Brian Greenspun's Nov. 26 column headlined, "School fosters respect," which focused on his admiration for the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy. I also respect any school that is able to bring lower-achieving students up to and beyond the standardized test scores. I also think that our public school system is often not meeting society's need to educate our children in a public environment.

But in reading Mr. Greenspun's article, I noticed that there was one major difference between the students he so highly commended and the students that I currently teach at Western High School: a previous motivation to go to a particular school and achieve. Just the fact that these students chose to be at Agassi Prep puts these kids in an entirely different category. Not all of the students at Western chose to be there, and they fall into many categories: motivated/unmotivated, troubled/happy, low self-esteem/confident. I could go on and on.

When I get up in front of a class, I teach and I teach and I teach, and I believe that my students know that I am giving it my all, even the unmotivated ones. The ones who are motivated do achieve and do show respect. Unfortunately, as much as I try, the unmotivated kids just can't seem to find it inside themselves to succeed, in spite of a caring staff, in spite of a dedicated English teacher, in spite of parents who try to help them. Motivation in school is everything and it fosters respect. After that, all I need is a piece of chalk and a blackboard.

NANCY FELDMAN MAHERAS