Editing PS to 500
Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2010 9:10 pm
Hi, I'm currently editing my PS. The school writes that there is no minimum or maximum on PS but that 500 words is the suggested length. So I'm cutting it down. I've gotten my PS to 499 (from 750), but now I'm not sure if it still makes sense. I feel that it is very chopped. So, any crit is more than welcome.
I once had to ask myself what was more important: my job or my integrity. I would like to think that I could simply leave any position that called for my silence on student treatment or grade forging. However, when the question came to me; it became the most difficult question to answer.
For two years I taught Social Studies at XXX, a small international school in XXX; a city that is three hours south of XXX. I taught forty students with a staff of eight teachers. During my second year at XXX, a new vice-principal was hired. Shortly after being hired, the vice-principal began displaying signs of racism, misogyny, homophobia and religious intolerance. His behavior coupled with his questionable work ethic nearly decimated GPA. I helped build the procedures and curriculum of XXX, and did not want anything to destroy what the faculty had built.
The year proved to be difficult because I did not know if I wanted to risk my position and being able to teach my students. I worked with the rest of the faculty to uncover the truth behind the vice-principal and we soon realized his resume was falsified. The proof of his forged resume and testimony from faculty concerning his behavior towards students was given to the administration and promptly ignored.
As faculty, we understood that going any farther could mean the end of positions. Gaining unanimous support to remove the vice-principal was difficult. However, as teachers we are obligated to do what is best for the student. The belligerent treatment of students and falsifying grades could not be ignored.
The faculty did succeed removing the vice-principal, but most of us lost our job in the process. On my last day at XXX, I watched my seniors walk across the stage to receive their diplomas. As their teacher I taught my students that regardless of the consequences, always speak the truth. I did not regret the actions that I or the faculty took to help the school become the caring environment it once was. However, it was difficult to ignore the sadness and frustration of knowing that I would no longer be working at XXX.
Speaking the truth can simultaneously be the hardest and easiest act to do. People think they will be able to do what is right but they do not because of the repercussions. I think there are times when the consequences must be ignored in favor for what is ultimately the right thing to do. I feel that the integrity I showed during my last year at Global Prodigy Academy is a solid foundation for my study of law. My want to change a system from the inside exemplifies a courage and determination I did not realize I had. These attributes will only be strengthened during my study of law. As a teacher, I have learned to be an advocate of students. As a lawyer, I want to be an advocate of those who cannot protect themselves.
I once had to ask myself what was more important: my job or my integrity. I would like to think that I could simply leave any position that called for my silence on student treatment or grade forging. However, when the question came to me; it became the most difficult question to answer.
For two years I taught Social Studies at XXX, a small international school in XXX; a city that is three hours south of XXX. I taught forty students with a staff of eight teachers. During my second year at XXX, a new vice-principal was hired. Shortly after being hired, the vice-principal began displaying signs of racism, misogyny, homophobia and religious intolerance. His behavior coupled with his questionable work ethic nearly decimated GPA. I helped build the procedures and curriculum of XXX, and did not want anything to destroy what the faculty had built.
The year proved to be difficult because I did not know if I wanted to risk my position and being able to teach my students. I worked with the rest of the faculty to uncover the truth behind the vice-principal and we soon realized his resume was falsified. The proof of his forged resume and testimony from faculty concerning his behavior towards students was given to the administration and promptly ignored.
As faculty, we understood that going any farther could mean the end of positions. Gaining unanimous support to remove the vice-principal was difficult. However, as teachers we are obligated to do what is best for the student. The belligerent treatment of students and falsifying grades could not be ignored.
The faculty did succeed removing the vice-principal, but most of us lost our job in the process. On my last day at XXX, I watched my seniors walk across the stage to receive their diplomas. As their teacher I taught my students that regardless of the consequences, always speak the truth. I did not regret the actions that I or the faculty took to help the school become the caring environment it once was. However, it was difficult to ignore the sadness and frustration of knowing that I would no longer be working at XXX.
Speaking the truth can simultaneously be the hardest and easiest act to do. People think they will be able to do what is right but they do not because of the repercussions. I think there are times when the consequences must be ignored in favor for what is ultimately the right thing to do. I feel that the integrity I showed during my last year at Global Prodigy Academy is a solid foundation for my study of law. My want to change a system from the inside exemplifies a courage and determination I did not realize I had. These attributes will only be strengthened during my study of law. As a teacher, I have learned to be an advocate of students. As a lawyer, I want to be an advocate of those who cannot protect themselves.