"I Just Want to be Average"

I found it difficult to follow Rose as he recalled his days in the vocational track and then eventually into the college prep track. Some of the tales he tells might remind some of us the injustices felt when the paddle was wielded in our direction. The administrators of school used different rules than what can pertain to now. Corporal punishment is no laughing matter when you are in High School. The feeling of humility and discouragement come quickly especially when it is done in front of everyone. Rose makes a quote from his gym teacher that would bring a smile to any student who had to deal with this type of teacher.
Teacher: "'Rose'? What the hell kind of name is that?"
Rose: "'Italian, sir,' I squeaked."
Teacher: "Italian! Ho. Rose, do you know the sound a bag of shit makes when it hits the wall?"
Rose: "No, Sir."
Teacher: "Wop!"
If a teacher was to pursue this line of questioning today and tell this kind of joke, I can think of at twelve different government agencies that would be involved with his/her discipline. It can be told that rose grew up in a different time.

Rose recounts his most astonishing revelation when he was attending his vocational education classes. When a Ken Harvey was asked to give the usual answer to wanting to work hard and succeed, his reply caused thought for Rose. His reply, "I want be average." Rose continues to think of this concept for a great deal of time. It still is with him to this day. Rose admires the work that would have to go into being just average. A person would have to know what to say and when to keep up the persona that they were just average. To know when to be quiet and when to answer correctly and when to answer wrongly. Rose wisely comes to the conclusion that it would be easier to just be himself and try his best, when he wanted to.

Roses best would not come until he met his match with an English teacher. One must always be aware of an English teacher. They unlike science and math teacher have a way of unlocking hidden communication talent. A science and math teacher will give the students plenty of opportunity to regurgitate and memorize information. An English teacher will ask your opinion and expect you to reply coherently and legibly. Rose was able to unlock his ability to communicate with people when his English teacher raised the bar and expected him to succeed. We all need the support of a teacher or two to boost our ability and believe in us to succeed.