While my students were working today, they were, of course, chatting it up about everything from movies to sports. At one point during the conversation a student asked me if I knew a particular song - I don't remember the name - and I said that I did not know it and I do not listen to the radio much. I followed up the comment with, "If I do listen to the radio, I listen to a rock station. Otherwise, I usually listen to NPR (National Public Radio)." The very next thing I heard was, "It figures..."
What does that mean?
Yes, we all know that I am a big nerd. I like to read and watch those "thinking" movies and roam around museums. I watch shows that discuss politics and world events and sometimes I find that my tv lands on the National Geographic channel or Discovery channel. Okay, I am a huge nerd, but why is that bad? When did being intelligent become uncool?
Not to assume that I was "cool" in the first place. I am anything but cool. On the other hand, I can have an educated conversation with most people because I have a little bit of knowledge about a plethora of subjects. I can also interpret and analyze most art forms - visual, auditory, written, whatever. Is this bad? Should I go back to that point in my life when I had to make the decision to become a bookworm or not?
So, even though it is a little late in coming, my answer to that student who scoffed at my "intelligence building listening habits" would be, "Yeah, it figures. Listening to NPR totally rocks and you should try it sometime. Maybe you would learn a little bit about the world." And then I would go back to reading yet another news article or novel or short story or essay or...
26 comments:
No matter what anybody says, Mrs. Stoklosa, I think your cool. :)
You laugh at the stupid stuff we say and don't get mad( most of the time), you don't give us boring work, and this is the first english class in a long time where I felt I was actually learning something, instead of the constant reading and essays that require a student to just answer no matter if its a real answer or a BS one, and where nobody would really take anything away from it anyways. This class is different.
Also I think its really cool when you get mad, not that you being mad is a good thing. It's that you have this creepy calm anger that works so much better than yelling. I wish I could do that.
I'm not sure but I think that was my class you were talking about. It's not wrong at all to be a bookworm or a "nerd". Nerds can be hott too. Personally, I wish i was as smart as you. You look at things in such a unique perspective. The student who made that unnecessary remark was way out of line. You're totally awesome.
Wow, that’s really something it's crazy somebody would say that to you we know you’re into all that stuff and I think it’s cool that you are but kids saying that it’s not right but that’s just my opinion. But I would say you completely dissed that kid and owned him and that’s what’s makes you a great teacher your whityness your spunk and sarcasm is great.
Mrs. Stoklosa don't think of yourself as uncool because you'd rather research current events and read interesting books than listen to melodramatic popular songs and watch the OC. In my opinion it's better to relate to characters in a fictional story than it is to relate to everyone around me because usually the people around me tend to be uneducated and ignorant. I'm happy that I am a nerd and I've been proud to say I have been one since I was a little boy. Technology, books, writing, and anything else that might possibly qualify me as a nerd I have been interested in since as far as I can remember and I guarantee that if you ask me a question on a nerdy film or a video game I will answer you with a daring analysis of all types of nerdy art forms. While, on the other hand, if you ask me about Britney Spear's latest album I'll say "Who's what?"
I find myself in the top of a figurative building shouting to the world that I am a huge geek and will never change. For those that turn and say "wow, lame" I simply respond with "Hey at least when we're out of college you'll be working for my company."
And I remind all bullies that nerds will rule the world, and as society becomes more and more tech based your future wife wont be calling you for help with the computer, she'll be calling Geek Squad.
Being a bookworm is never a bad thing. I would love to know more about the world and politics and actually be interested in it. If something interests you then thats what you should always try to persue in. For me I love science! I love everything about the body and everyother scientific fact possible. I hope someday I can be a science nerd and know so much about how things work that my brain hurts.
Well Mrs.stoklosa i agree with you that no one should say (that figures) because its just mean/rude. Other then that though i actually think that your probly the best teacher i ever so had so far and im not good in english and i dont have an A' but i actually feel that imbeing prepared for the real world in your class. and especially when you make fun of the dumb comments kids make in our class lol. Don't worry Mrs.S don't listen to those people.
If I was you and some kid called me a nerd I'd hit him. It's not that bad to be nerdy, I am not saying I am, but being able to have an educated conversation with someone is definitely a positive for most people. One time I had a girlfriend that was very good looking, but my shoe could keep up a conversation better, so I dumped her.
Nerd.
-- Jeff Fleisher
You make a good point. A lot of younger people call others "gay" (meaning uncool) just because they aren't right next to them on that bandwagon absorbing and admiring everything that they are told to like or dislike by the media. In my opinion, it's part of growing up into adulthood when you drop the act of trying to be "hip" and worry about more adult things. I admire those who are very knowledgable and try to take everything they learn to their advantage. There's nothing better than meeting a person who can actually hold a real conversation without you wondering if they actually know what they're talking about.
I always laugh at parents who try so hard to keep up with whats "cool" at the time because I think that the beauty of growing up is becoming wiser. So I think you should keep listening to your NPR and continue to gain knowledge! More power to you!
Ms. Stoklosa your a total LOSER! Not really but I had to get your attention some how. How could any one who like Citizen Cope be a loser? Its just not possible.
Every one has his or her own thing. For you NPR is your think, for me its surfing. Yeah surfing is way cooler than NPR, but than again I'm way cooler than most people so it works. But the discovery channel is the shit (in a good way) I love that channel. It has some real legit shows like Survivorman, Man vs. wild, Planet Earth, Deadliest Catch, Dirty Jobs. That is a real solid line up for me.
Well, with the word "NERD" stamped into your forehead, it could be hard if you were trying to speed date... But other than that, intelligence is a very valuable trait, that not anyone has. Is it a little creepy that you sometimes make my brain hurt? Sure, but that's why you're my teacher! No matter how you truly feel on this subject, just remember, that the best gift you can give is the gift of a great education. So far, you're doing a pretty damn good job. Figures....
It shouldn't matter what one student says to you. You’re an amazing teacher, nerd or not. We each enjoy different things; don’t let that stop you, and I know it won’t.
Its ok to be a nerd, when your a cool nerd. If you were too proper and all uptight, then you would be an annoying nerd, such as some of the other teachers at cypress bay (I really want to name some right now, but Im not going to). All you have to do is moderate your nerdiness. You're doing a good job so far.
I mean I don't even know what classifies as "cool" anymore. Why wouldn't it be cool to actually have some intelligence? If it's considered "cool" to not have a clue what anyone else is talking about then what has this world come to?
Wow, I would love to give which ever kid said that to you a huge piece of my mind because that's almost insulting me indirectly. What's wrong with having brain cells and actually putting them to good use? Absolutely nothing. In fact, it's the complete opposite. I love having so much knowledge, even if it's a random fact from the discovery channel. For example, did you know that penguins are the most loyal animals (romantically) in the animal kingdom? People like that are really vexing. They probably wouldn't know what vexing means. Rock on Stoklosa. I think your brain is a wonderful thing, truly.
Being smart is not bad at ALL. If your smart you will succeed in life to the fullest. You will be better than those people that don't read or hear or even watch what's going on in the world. Those people will be lost and won't know what to do with their lives. So Mrs. S don't stop being smart just because a dumb kid said something stupid.
This student in your class is clearly incompetent. It is perfectly ok to be a nerd. I'd rather be able to talk about anything then nothing at all. Knowing things about a lot of subjects doesn't make you a nerd either, it just says that you are aware and well rounded in knowledge.
Even though on saturdays NPR is really weird and filled with terrible poems.
Yo that was our class! ha ha. Well it's always been uncool to be smart, but as you said today ignorance is bliss. Only people with lower intelligence levels would actually believe in a statement like that. It's like money when you have more than other people they "hate" on you as I would say. Sure when I was little in elementary we made fun of kids and called them nerds, but now you wish you were them with high GPA's, high scores on standardized tests, AP classes, and good grades. I'll admit though some kids just take the nerd/geek look and being to the next level like damn, but it's the way it is and they're happy I'm good so it's all good. Would you rather be dumb and so cool or intelligent and cool in your way. Don't listen to us we're still dumb haha except me I'm the smart one.
My opinion on the topic may be a little different. Being a nerd should never be an issue. What really bothers me is the way that people have to label others. No, being a nerd is not a bad thing. But it’s not a good thing either. It’s completely irrelevant to the way a person should be judged. The minute someone calls someone else or themselves, a nerd is putting out negative vibes, maybe even without wanting to. You can’t change the meaning of a word as hard as you may try, because the stereotype of labels runs deep with time. Rather you should always think of your self as ‘an intelligent person’ not a ‘nerd’. You speak American English, meaning the words you use aren’t created by you. So when such a popular word with a distinct meaning (nerd) is said in a different way, it is wrong. I love being in your class and listening to your intelligence speak for itself, you don’t need to call yourself a nerd, when in reality your just a person with a higher understanding of things. There is nothing to be ashamed about in that statement.
I often wish I was more aware of world events and what is going on. Now I'm not quite sure if this kid you mentioned here was looking down on that or the music you listen to. There are people who think that listening to old music is lame and they only listen to what came out this month. I almost feel bad for these people. They missing out on so much. Now a days, you go to a rap concert to "get low" and watch "bitchez shake der bootis." How can you choose that over jamming out to Led Zeppelin or Grateful Dead? If listening to good music and being informed of world events makes you a nard, then I guess I'm half a nerd wishing I was 100%.
I don't think that watching the Discovery channel is uncool. I watch it sometimes, especially during shark week that's freakin' awesome. And I used to watch the history channel with my dad because we both like history, and every now and again I put it on just to see what it's on. Now I don't think I will listen to NPR for one cause I don't know what station it's on and two i'm just not going to listen to it.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a nerd. In fact, there's something wrong with not being a nerd. Why would you not want to learn more about politics and world events or watch those "thinking" movies. Having a little bit of knowledge about a variety of things allows you to have conversations with a variety of people, nothing is wrong with that.
Autumn would say the thing about bookworms being hott. lol.
And actually, i kind of wish i decide to become more of a bookworm earlier. It's not like not becoming a bookworm changed what i want to do with my future. But i believe it would've been a good start.
And, i actually listen to 93.1 talk radio on my way to school every morning now. It's pretty interesting.
It's fun hearing about how stupid someone is, or how messed up something is on live radio. Kind of gives people more of a public voice.
Well Mrs. Stoklosa you are definitely a nerd...But there is nothing wrong with that! I personally believe that nerds rule the world. I might not be happy about it but from what I've seen it's true.
Hey I listen to NPR and rock stations. Although Nerd doesn't offend me, but I don't think I'm one (Hides Darth Vader statue)... Am I?
Unless spending 5 hours trying to figure out how to put rimshot sounds on my blog counts as a nerd move. Or crashing my computer because i have almost 100 tabs open while researching for the blog. And yes, it happened, thank god for blog auto saver. Woo!
I presume that you are about to or already did show your students the poem about our generation talking like, "like...yeah...totally...like...whatever," and how nobody speaks with conviction.
There's a quote from a great George Orwell novel that reads, "Sanity is not statistics." I think the quote is pretty relevant to this situation. Just because the majority of people think it's cool to be stupid and unmotivated about education, doesn't mean they're right. In other words, just because most people think a certain way, doesn't mean your point of view is radical; it just means you're intelligent and independent enough to break away from the status quo and resist the sheep-like attitude of most people. Just ask Galileo, who was sentenced to death for claiming that the Earth was not the center of the universe. Or Eugene V. Debs, a Socialist in the early 1900s who was incarcerated for simply speaking out against WWI.
If your into any 80s-90s hardcore punk, the band Reagan Youth has a great song called Degenerated which pretty much sums up this discussion.
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