JRN+3

===When reading this chapter, //Those Whom We Teach,// I was not only taken aback by the surprising statistics, but I was equally as impressed with the student responses. In every educational course I have taken, we have been taught the importance of relating to our students and creating an environment where our students truly want to learn. Though we as educators could be taught every important lesson out of an education guiding pamphlet, it isn't until we are in our own classes teaching our own students where we learn what it means to be a successful teacher. Knowing these statistics and knowing the capabilities of students is vital in becoming a successful educator. Furthermore, depending on where we teach and the environment we are given as well as the environment we want to create, we can better our teaching potential. ===

===Learning about the Washington D.C. public school system was something that was not all that new for me. As a big fan of Michelle Rhee, the ex-chancellor for D.C. Public Schools, I have done a bit of research on the success and the failures of that school system. After watching and listening to a lot of interviews with these students, however, it wasn't until now that the ideals of them wanting to be successful truly rang through. The number one value was having a successful career; this was 13% higher than having free time. The idea of this was a shock to me and I am sure a shock to those of us who read through this as well. ===

===This Segway’s into the other topics discussed regarding crime and violence. Though Washington D.C. has students who have been in gangs or seen gang fights or has friends who were killed or injured by violence, the students here, as well as nationally, want to become better people. They want to be successful and accredited citizens. We could be their answer. ===