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I have learned to be constantly observant and aware of my surroundings. If it’s too quiet, for example, I had better pay attention, because something could be wrong. Any difference in the norm is cause for attention; no matter how small a change may be, you kind of perk up a little bit and watch to see what is going on.  One morning, as early as 7:15 A.M., I had just thought, “Gee, it sure is unusually quiet.  They’re all studying nicely, but it almost makes me nervous.”  Within seconds, I heard a loud banging sound.  I looked up to see one guy standing over another, pounding the stuffing out of him. I phoned for assistance; the “cavalry” showed up, threw on the cuffs and dragged the two guys out by their feet.  The damage was minimal. I cleaned up the blood (using universal precautions, of course), and the guys simply went back to work. But the incident woke me up that morning, to say the least!

All too often basic Constitutional rights are taken for granted by the Americans who hold them. These include the right to bear arms, run for office, and even vote. To most, these are simply a part of what it means to be an American citizen. After all, they are guaranteed by the Constitution. Right?

For most, this statement would be correct. For most Americans the right to own a firearm, run for president, or vote for their state senator are protected. But for a growing class in America, these very rights have been stripped from them. They have been restricted because of a criminal conviction.

At times I feel as if I am an anomaly in both the prison setting where I reside and in my post-secondary correctional education pursuits. I say this because as I grow into a man — I’m 25 now after all — I have begun to ponder my future and what it could hold.

As those of you who know me well know, I wasn’t always the best-behaved guy. Prior to my arrival in prison I was a confused kid who had a serious alcohol and drug abuse problem. As such, all of my actions and even my very thinking occurred inside the thick fog of substance abuse. With the realization that I didn’t know or appreciate (as in value) my actions, it’s no wonder that I would end up in prison.

For the first time since I can remember, the case against higher education is being made by the mainstream media. Arguments centered upon the true value of a higher education are being presented. The question asked is: “Is higher education really worth the time and expense of pursuing one?” What a profoundly foolish question to present!

Since the age of academic and social enlightenment, a common sense, no-questions-asked protocol has presented itself concerning education in general. The protocol states that first a child goes to elementary school, then middle school and high school. After high school, the socially acceptable and economically advantageous move is to go to college. After college, the person enters the workforce.

Contrary to common belief, I am at least 90%-95% of the security in my classroom. My biggest approach can be summed up as showing an authoritative, but also a caring, demeanor. It takes a little bit of work and a bit of balance. But it works well for me and I think probably for most people, if it’s done consistently. If I can overcome their poor attitudes, then discipline is obviously easier.

Often, people think since I teach adults, classroom discipline must be easier than when working with teens.  In reality, many of these men are physically grown, but are still mentally equivalent to young teens.  I have found by observing their behaviors, I can come pretty close to figuring out at what age they began using alcohol and/or drugs.  Their achievement test scores give me the second clue.

This week was week seven of Writing and Publishing. This week’s focus was upon preparing for the final examination.

What I’ve found in my career as a correctional educator is that you must sell the student on the idea behind the information you want them to memorize. I say this because incarcerated students are very willing to just do their time in the classroom, fail a test, and repeat the process. This can be seen in countless GED programs inside prisons.