Very true. I always scored among the top 5 or so (among 300-400 classmates in my grade level) on Iowa Test of Basic Skills, typically at least 5 or 6 grade levels above my grade at the time. I had classmates who could barely read a sentence -- as in - they - read - one - word at - a - time, and they typically paused at multiple-syllable words to "sound them out." That was very frustrating for me, as in my mind we had been exposed to the same learning opportunities, but they apparently chose not to take advantage of them. Of course, for those of low IQ there WAS no choice. But for many of average intelligence, they DID have the mental capacity to learn more but chose ignorance instead. One example is the fact that ebonics still run rampant in public schools. We all looked at the same chalkboard, and while a fair percentage of my black classmates learned how to read, write and speak English right along with me and other white, yellow and brown students, many others came out of those halls reading ( I guess), writing (maybe) and thinking in ebonics. I couldn't imagine being a teacher these days - the hopelessly unintelligent, the wilfully ignorant, the kids with no support or guidance at home and the obstinate, disrespectful, verbally abusive and often violent youth of today would seem to render educating those of moderate to high intelligence extremely difficult.

Hats off to you and the true, sane, non-indoctrinating (actual) teachers! For what it's worth, two of my teachers were mentors to me. One was a woman, my 6th grade teacher, and one was a man, my high school world history teacher. I stayed in touch with the former into my 20's and the latter until my late 50's - and it was his death that ended our lifelong friendship. There were a couple of teachers that I disliked, but for the most part I liked and respected them!

Very true. I always scored among the top 5 or so on Iowa Test of Basic Skills, typically at least 5 or 6 grade levels above my grade at the time. I had classmates who could barely read a sentence -- as in - they - read - one - word at - a - time, and they typically paused at multiple-syllable words to "sound them out." That was very frustrating for me, as in my mind we had been exposed to the same learning opportunities, but they apparently chose not to take advantage of them. Of course, for those of low IQ there WAS no choice. But for many of average intelligence, they DID have the mental capacity to learn more but chose ignorance instead. One example is the fact that ebonics still run rampant in public schools. We all looked at the same chalkboard, and while a fair percentage of my black classmates learned how to read, write and speak English right along with me and other white, yellow and brown students, many others came out of those halls reading ( I guess), writing (maybe) and thinking in ebonics. I couldn't imagine being a teacher these days - the hopelessly unintelligent, the wilfully ignorant, the kids with no support or guidance at home and the obstinate, disrespectful, verbally abusive and often violent youth of today would seem to render educating those of moderate to high intelligence extremely difficult.

Hats off to you and the true, sane, mon-indictrinating (actual) teachers! For what it's worth, two of my teachers were mentors to me. One was a woman, my 6th grade teacher, and one was a man, my high school world history teacher. I stayed in touch with the former into my 20's and the latter until my late 50's - and it was his death that ended our lifelong friendship. There were a couple of teachers that I disliked, but for the most part I liked and respected them!