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Monday, February 13, 2012

Dirty Work - Teacher in a Strange Land - Education Week Teacher

Dirty Work - Teacher in a Strange Land - Education Week Teacher:

Dirty Work

Ever have a summer job as a teenager? Yup. Me, too. I was a chicken fryer and pot washer at a KFC. I had a 6:00 a.m. waitressing gig at a dockside breakfast joint where fishermen impressed with my coffee-refill speed left hefty 50-cent tips. I've been a cashier, a security guard and a berry picker. The list goes on.

Ever find yourself exploited on that job? Yup. Me, too. Having your shift cut an hour after walking to work because business is slow. Paying for your own stained, ill-fitting uniform shirts. Worst of all: hosing out the dumpster.

So here's the question: Did those experiences build character and shape your work ethic?

Ask Newt Gingrich. He's got a plan to re-invigorate economic awareness and entrepreneurial spirit in public schools.

It's easy to muster up righteous outrage at Gingrich's gratuitous and Malthusian take on What Poor Kids Need if