Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Maverick Speaker - Roland Fryer

Oh Ray wanted to leave for his deer lease after work on Thursday 11/2. But no, he had agreed a month or so before that he would attend a Maverick Speaker Series talk with me. (He's my night driver). Anyway, despite a reluctant start, we had a splendid evening. First, dinner at Italianni's - yummy manicotti for me and chicken parm for Ray.  Then we heard Roland Fryer talk about education, race, economics, reward systems, and more.

This Harvard Economist and Professor was excellent. He discussed being raised by his grandmother and her words of wisdom that kept him on the right path. He talked about mentors that boosted his esteem and let him know he was capable of hard work. He learned about preparation - study for tests, study for talks, do the advance work necessary to succeed. He talked about the need to give kids attention and expectations.

He is concerned about kids and education - said it is absolutely the key to all of our futures. His research and work has made some inroads, but there's way more to be done. Just throwing money at education is not the solution. Early reading programs, daily tutoring, and attainable goals are just the beginning. His hour long talk was an overview. He left me wanting to hear more.

And I agree - no excuses, just hard work is needed to fix education for all.

12 comments:

  1. Hard work is needed indeed. But slackers breed slackers and so it goes, sadly.

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    1. yes. Have to give kids a reason to learn, so see the consequences.

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  2. Education definitely needs to be fixed. I think that the schools are just bloated with too much administration and too many meetings.

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    1. exactly. Everyone is busy saving their butts and not concentrating on the kids

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  3. Sounds like he was a great speaker. Dinner out is always good too. :)

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    1. oh yeah. Food proves to be a good bribe to keep my driver on call!!!

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  4. It's going to take a huge effort to reform education. I haven't been too thrilled with my kids' experience in the schools. Material is thrown at them too fast, teachers aren't really teaching, and it's all about testing and trying to meet common core standards. And what about text books? They don't use text books any more! They might learn something if they did.

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    1. I agree. He had a lot of really good ideas, and yes I think instead of teaching to tests - teach the kids to function in this world.

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  5. These maverick speakers you guys have been going to hear all sound terrific. Good way to keep the gray matter young, too.

    It's been years since Smaritucs went deer hunting. I don't miss him being away for it, and I don't miss having to clean and package the meat, but I sure do miss having venison in the freezer. (Although one of our local stores at least sells ground venison... better than nothing!)

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    1. I'm not keen on venison, so I'd be happy to ship you some!
      and yes, check out your local college - they might have some good speakers too

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  6. What a wonderful speaker Joanne,

    Yvonne.

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    1. I really enjoy this program and it's only $5. So cheap to hear new ideas.

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