it's all about me!

What it is about the world we live in? or at least where I'm currently living? So many people seem to be all about themselves and it comes out in some really interesting ways. As I have been substitute teaching for the past few months, I am constantly met with examples of the ME movement in my current corner of the world of education.

Tatoos and piercings...Recently I was subbing at the 'alternative' high school where a teenager was sketching out potential tatoos on his arms. He explained to me an eventual tatoo that he will have: there will be two babies on his upper arm and their umbilical cords will be intertwined as they move down his arm...and after that I can't remember the rest of the details. My response,"Well, what's the story there? Why that?" His answer,"It's unique. It would set me apart from anyone else." He is not alone in the tatoo and face piercing realm. This is a practice that is present with students as early as middle school.

What's in a name?...Then there's all of the unique names that parents have been giving their children. These names range from the totally made up to traditional names spelled very creatively. Of course, some of these names may be shout-outs to favorite brand names of the kids' parents. Here's a short list...Briar Rose, Bryton, Jazzmon (Jazzie for short), Jordin, Cash, Aydryiona...


...The school district has its own lingo. Substitute teachers have the auspicious title of "Guest Teachers". Tornado drills are referred to here as "wind drills."

School programming...This week we attended a public forum at our children's public elementary school. The district feels the need to close 3 of 9 elementary schools in order to "save money" or redistribute funds. During the course of the charts and data presentation, it became very clear that this district has made a habit of fulfilling the individual wants of the parent constituency which seems to have led to the pitting of one program against another. The programs include Montessori elementary, TAG (talented and gifted), a new Chinese language immersion, and open enrollment which allows families to choose which schools within the district they send their children to based on availability. Naturally when everyone gets together in these public forums it's clear that many are out to fulfill their 'me' desires. This is a road block to the establishment of community/neighborhood schools that would include every type of learner which would better reflect life after school.


Self-expression and individuality is certainly important at any stage in life. What I take issue with is the need to be so me-oriented that individuals isolate themselves and begin to live in their own bubble unable to function in a community-setting. When relating to others, collaboration, and empathy become lost traits I am concerned. Perhaps this "ME Movement" is how a generation responds to global homogenization. Malls, Starbucks, McDonalds, etc. exist in most corners of the world and look and taste the same. The individual is left to find a way to leave his/her mark, to feel unique, to self-express in a landscape of repetitive boredom. It's in these simplistic, tangible ways that people are clinging to their individuality rather than in ways that might really make a difference for the future as well as the whole of society.