Articles written by Jay Snyder

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About me - Jay Snyder

I am a high school English teacher who loves to write. I have a varied number of interests that I am learning to speak out about on a regular basis. I hope to be published both electronically as well as in print.

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Education > Secondary School Issues Are parents or schools to blame for low high school graduation rates?: 1 of 32

The graduation rate in American high schools is appalling. The minute this makes news, there are people pointing fingers at teachers and administrators. Politicians impose standardized tests that are based on standards, but have little relevance to what is really learned and to what is transferrable to the marketplace or col...
Education > Education (Other) Should students be penalized for their parents/relatives' unruly behavior at graduation?: 2 of 14

The high school student walks across the stage and receives his/her diploma. Suddenly there is a cacophony of cat calls, an air horn and whoops from the crowd. The student shakes the administrator's hand and walks from the stage with reddened face. Much can be said about parents who want to celebrate their child's graduation...
Parenting & Pregnancy > Adoption An overview of adoption laws in the US: 1 of 7

Imagine this scenario, a couple adopts an infant in any state of the United States. They begin to raise that child and all is fine. Then the adoptive parents receive a notice they are attend a hearing regarding their status as adoptive parents being legal. They attend the hearing and are told that one of the child's birthpar...
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Emotions: 39 of 266

Crashing waves on the grey beach The dark sky growls menacingly I continue to watch whitecaps Smash into the shore. Walking I notice there is no one On the beach Not a single living soul For as far as I can see. Water caresses my feet Its womblike warmness Begins to reach my soul Calling it to merge. Waves now are licking my...
Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Children's bedtime stories: 12 of 50

Princess Mei-Mei Meets New Friends Once upon a time, in a beautiful land called China, there lived a princess. Her name was Princess Mei-Mei. Princess Mei-Mei lived with her parents, the Emperor and Empress, in the Forbidden City in Beijing. Even though she was a princess, Mei-Mei was not a spoiled child. Everyone who met he...
Politics, News & Issues > US Elections US elections 2008: Qualities of a genuine American president: 11 of 28

In just a few short months, we will vote for our new President. The consequences of that choice, as we all well know by now, can be of epic proportions. Many people will be voting for the first time this November and they need to be aware of the qualities that make a president a good one for our country. First, the president...
Education > Education (Other) Tips for dealing with a difficult teacher: 17 of 34

"Mom! The teacher does not like me!" How often do parents hear those words from their children? Too many. Yet, there are times when a teacher can appear to be acting difficult to a child or may actually be difficult. So, how do you handle it? First, ask your student why they feel their teacher is being difficult. There are m...
Education > Education (Other) Commentary: How a culture of rudeness has undermined public education in America: 3 of 5

As a high school teacher I can attest to how rudeness has undermined public education in America. There is not a day that goes by where I must stop class and correct the behavior of a student. It is not for lack of classroom management skills that the problems occur, but lack of parental and sometimes administrative support ...
Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Romance: 124 of 178

The Runaways Bruno glanced at his watch. It read 3:45am. His heart began to race. Would this plan work or would it blow up in their face as so many of the other ones they attempted? Walking past Maria, he knew it had to work this time. She looked so lovely even as she sat there dressed in old blue jeans and polo shirt. Heck,...
Education > Educational Philosophy The educational costs of standardized testing: 9 of 10

School grades, based primarily on state standardized test scores, for our state were just released. The school where I currently teach went from being a "D" school to being a "B" school. So why am I not celebrating? I refuse to celebrate because this rise in our school grade, in my opinion, only points to how well teachers h...