This was not an outstanding episode, but I felt it was interesting enough to write about it. The episode deals with Sara Olson, a C student, who feels that since she is average, she will someday end up getting a job before settling down to being a wife and mother. She doesn't see the value of history class and many other classes as well. When the principal starts a nursery staffed by volunteer students, he gets Sara more motivated so that she could be able to get a certificate in being an aide in a nursery until she does get married. Obviously today, a school might try even harder to offer more opportunities for a student to see, but this was 1969 according to the copyright date on the episode and the times were different.
When I was teaching, I often used this poem, which I feel really connects to Sara. Maybe someone who reads this post might share this poem with a student, their child, or someone at any age who feels they are invisible and not at all noticed or important.
"Average" (anonymous)
I don't cause teachers trouble.
My grades have been okay.
I listen in my classes.
And I'm in school every day.
My teachers say I'm average.
My parents think so too.
I wish I didn't know that.
'Cause there's lots I'd like to do.
I'd like to build a rocket.
I've a book that tells you how.
And start a stamp collection.
Well, no use in trying now.
'Cause since I found I'm average,
I'm just smart enough to see
It means there's nothing special
That I should expect of me.
Nobody ever sees me.
Because I'm in between.
Those two standard deviations.
On each side of the mean.
I'm part of the majority.
That "hump" part of the bell.
Who spends his life unnoticed.
In an "average" kind of hell.
When I was teaching, I often used this poem, which I feel really connects to Sara. Maybe someone who reads this post might share this poem with a student, their child, or someone at any age who feels they are invisible and not at all noticed or important.
"Average" (anonymous)
I don't cause teachers trouble.
My grades have been okay.
I listen in my classes.
And I'm in school every day.
My teachers say I'm average.
My parents think so too.
I wish I didn't know that.
'Cause there's lots I'd like to do.
I'd like to build a rocket.
I've a book that tells you how.
And start a stamp collection.
Well, no use in trying now.
'Cause since I found I'm average,
I'm just smart enough to see
It means there's nothing special
That I should expect of me.
Nobody ever sees me.
Because I'm in between.
Those two standard deviations.
On each side of the mean.
I'm part of the majority.
That "hump" part of the bell.
Who spends his life unnoticed.
In an "average" kind of hell.
