My reflections on the 7 myths of Generation Y

I was given an article to read the other day. Its entitled “The 7 biggest myths about generation Y” by Michael McQueen

Michael is an author, international speaker and social researcher on this very topic and the 7 myths he presents got me thinking.

Michael McQueen

Myth #1  They are self-centred.

There are a couple statistics presented here: 81% of youth aged 13-25 volunteered in the last 12 months and 69% consider a company’s social and environmental commitment when shopping.  If these two are to be believed then there are a lot more engaged youth than I first thought.

Myth#2 They don’t think about the future.

Youths perception of the future is different and preparing for it has to be different. The key here is in the word ‘preparing’ rather than ‘planning’. Theirs is a vague future with ever shifting careers and skills required. Much better they equip themselves with the skills and contacts they need rather than trying to plan for a unpredictable future.

Myth #3 They have moral compass

From over here that may be the perception but McQueen talks about their understanding that there are no moral absolutes. Truth and morality and seen differently by each individual. This had left them being more tolerant and accepting of diversity than any previous generation.

Myth #4 The are disrespectful

I have heard this one time and time again. But reality paints a differnet picture. As far as Gen Y are concerned there is little respect for piverledge or power or authority. Respect is built out of being respected and out of a genuine relationship with the individual.

“being worthy of being respected is similar to being a nice person… If you have to tell them you are, then perhaps you really aren’t.”

Myth #5 They are lazy

This one is tricky. There is totally different mindset towards work with Generation Y. They have seen far too many heart attacks, strokes and failed marriages. They are being their careers with clearer picture about what work/ life balance is. They are committed to their work but not at the expense of family, friends and the relationships that truly matter.

Myth #6 They only communicate online.

It is true with Twitter, Facebook and MySpace, Pinterest and other online communities there has been a huger connection being made around the globe. But with the migration of people and the connecting through the internet Gen Y’s mideset is shifting towards real relationships with real discussion. Making connections with the older generation.

Myth#7 They don’t want to connect with older generations.

They have often been referred to as the Fatherless generation, with divorce on the increase and the blended family becoming the norm its hardly a wonder that so many wonder where their roots are and are crying out to make genuine connections with adults they can trust, look up to and respect.

But Generation Y is getting older. They are no longer filling our Primary schools and they are fast vacating our High Schools too.  Do some of these myths still apply to this next generation? Are they the truly lazy? How are we going to address the students in our care? There is much to consider and reason enough to look for the good in our youth rather than assume the worst. What now? But what next?

I am neither a Kiwi nor...

I am neither a kiwi nor do I presume this blog reaches around the globe but I can’t help but have the ‘cockles of my heart’ warmed lovingly by the thought that someone, somewhere would take an interest in me.

EveryKiwiCounts is an attempt to draw together the New Zelanders who live in all of the four corners of the globe regardless of their success or status.

Kea New Zealand chief executive Sue Watson says: "New Zealanders living outside the country are some of our most talented people. Every Kiwi Counts is focused on finding out more about these important citizens."

I’m starting to well-up… somebody loves and appreciates you.

But wait… the bottom of this article Sue is quoted as saying:

"We will find thousands of New Zealanders who are interested in investing in this country, helping New Zealand businesses that are expanding offshore, or who might return to New Zealand for the right sort of job,"

There you go, that makes more sense… it's that Kiwi ingenuity and sense of community, supporting one another as we make our way in the world.

Nothing wrong with that…
If you’re a Kiwi living abroad take the survey…. by clicking here

If you’re not a kiwi living abroad DON’T take the survey… by clicking here

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Private funding for schools

New primary and secondary schools to be built in Hobsonville will be the first in New Zealand constructed with private money.

Not actual building being proposed... unfortunately.

It appears that the move toward privately funded schools is fraught with difficulties. It is far from agreed and if the arguments laid out by the above mentioned article are anything to go by finding a private partner is going to be tricky:

• The land and school will be owned by the government. 
• The board of Trustees will remain wholly in charge.

• The private-sector partner will carry the risk around time-consuming and expensive problems like leaky buildings.

So, let me get this straight. I as a private investor  I will foot the bill for the construction of a building I will not own, with tenants I am obliged to house, with little or no say in how the buildings are to be used, oh and if the those building come under disrepair it is I who have to find the money to fix or replace even though it is not I who have warn them out... Is there an upside here I can’t see?
Apparently...

“If suitable bids are not received the government can revert to traditional funding. It can also terminate the agreement if key performance indicators are not met.”

... which is somewhat of a relief to parents, students and staff as  I would suggest the chances of finding someone willing is slim at best.
The government must be fairly confident with the outcome, howeve, as it's sitting in the PM’s backyard with an election on the horizon.

Please excuse me if I go a check my other pants for that spare 40-mil I had kicking around the other day.
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Mummy? ... Mummy?... Mummmmmmy!!!!!

Apparently, it takes Children's Commissioner John Angus a full investigation to determine that under one’s are best cared for at home. I could have saved a lot of time and money and just given him my Gran’s telephone number, she’d have told him.
Also the report stated that the ratio of staff member to child should be lowered. Again another thing my Gran may mention, only two arms per staff member and so much sobbing/ crying/ comforting to be done.
Sure, wouldn’t it be nice if all mum’s could stay at home, look after bubs full time and not have another care in the world. For that matter, wouldn’t it be nice if Dad could do that instead, oh, I mean ‘as well’.
There are about 32,000 children under the age of two in formal early childhood education.
Reality is that many parents need to go back to work, some even prefer to go back to work. Parents who return to work full-time and good parents are two groups that are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Options need to given. Government does not need to provide full-funding for one or the other but some funding offering some choice may be appreciated.
Angus said there was "room for government policy" to better support parents who make a choice to stay at home to care for their child.

There needs to be some fairness to the system. Its no good a mother on one toddler having to go back to work where another of 3 or 4 teenagers can afford to stay home.

“...stop paying parents while thier kids are at school 30 hours per week, they can work .”  

Robymac from the the TVNZ item

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PPTA: Applaud or *tusk now

The PPTA has said it will keep up its fight for improved conditions and higher pay, and that more strikes are likely.
It appears that the PPTA is last to ‘fall’. I’m sure that the union is feeling the warming flow of mana knowing that they are the ‘last one standing’.
In such economic times though, there must be a thin line unions walk between looking like their standing up for members and looking way too greedy.
Secondary teachers must be applauding their union for the backbone it is showing but public perception is the key here and when extra-curricular activities and educational opportunities for young people are cancelled then *tusks from parents ripple through the wider community.
Enough is enough though. Let’s refocus now on educating our young people, enriching lives and brightening the future of New Zealand through top quality educational expertise.

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20,000 New Zealand teenagers not in education

“There are 20,000 New Zealand teenagers of year 12 or year 13 age not in education or training.”
 “The academy, which requires pupils to attend from 9am till 3pm five days a week, is a way for pupils to pick up NCEA credits while earning a practical tertiary qualification.”

“Wiremu is one of 60 founding pupils from 30 high schools around Wellington at Weltec – and one of 800 around New Zealand. They will be placed in classroom-style groups, through which they will continue with core NCEA credits such as maths and English.”

Students given alternative to study trade

A couple of point I managed to glean from this article:

1. I am assuming that the shocking statistic above refers to those teenagers NOT in gainful employ. Otherwise, I guess, we’d all be whooping and cheering for joy. 
2. I’m wondering if replacing school with ‘school’ is anything like a solution.

Let us consider the evidence from the article:

• Students will be expected to attend from 9am to 3pm.
• Students will be expected to attend five days a week.
• Students will work on NCEA credits.
• Students will work on Maths and English NCEA.
• Students will work within classroom-style groups.

Hmmm, sounding suspiciously like school to me.Perhaps it’s the location that’s different. Is ‘class’ in an aircraft hanger? In a mechanics workshop?  Hairdressers salon? Perhaps it’s the tutors that are different? Perhaps they are younger and hipper than the regular high school variety, perhaps they know the funky songs or know the clubbing scene.

Whatever the secret ingredient really is I wish Weltec all the luck in the world.
 

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Professionalism not persecution

he principal of a Kapiti Coast primary school is under investigation over teachers' complaints of sexual harassment and bullying.

Whether the allegations are true or not this may give us all a little pause for thought as we must be reminded that to “be a bit silly” as Marsden states is really not professional at all.
Teachers often take critism of their style and performance in the classroom very personally. The reason being that so much of teaching is about personailiy, relating others and sharing with students enough of oneself to develop a respect and a relationship which encourages learning and academic growth. But there is a fine line between allowing your personality out within a school environment and ensuring a level of professionalism is maintained. 
We as teachers all hold a great responsibility. How and what we share with students is a balancing act we have to do - so too with staff within the staffroom it would appear.

All your friends could be colleagues but not all colleagues are your friends. 

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