"I Just Wanna Be Average" by Mike Rose

In the reading, “I Just Wanna Be Average” by Mike Rose tells a story about some of his experiences throughout high school. When he was a freshmen, he got accidently placed in the vocational program also known as the bottom classes. However, he did not fight to get out from the class instead he stayed to make the best of his situation. He described that the teachers in vocational track did not care much for the students. There was lack of lesson plan and had no motivation to teach the students. He also mentioned the various personalities of his classmates. Many of them had no desire to learn rather they were playing and joking around the classroom. Although they all seemed like a mess, Rose noted some of the special qualities that show their true personalities. One classmate that really stood out to Rose was Ken Harvey. He got a call for an opinion in class about working hard to reach achievement- he stated that he just wanted to be average. The quote “I just wanna be average” stayed with Rose for many years. Because of the incompetent teachers, Rose didn’t understand the simple knowledge that was usually a piece of cake to him such as to simplify algebraic fractions and to translate Spanish. During his sophomore year in high school, he really enjoyed and did well in biology class with Brother Clint. In his junior year, Rose got switch to a college prep program. Switching to a college prep program is a difficult transition, however Rose was able to overcome the challenges. In his senior year, he met the most influential person in his life- his English teacher: Mr.MacFarland. At first Rose didn’t look upon at him because he seemed like a very messy and unorganized person. However, he used his specialized teaching techniques and motivated the students to learn. The most important point was he cared about the students success. Mr.MacFarland also persuaded and helped Rose get into a college. With Mr.MacFarland’s help, he was on his journey to pursuit his educational goals. That’s when he came to a point of realizing the importance and the power of knowledge.


In Mike Rose’s high school experience, I believe he depicts the idea that we shouldn’t be afraid of getting far from average. We have the right to deserve a better living. No matter how bleak the future might seem, there is hope and possibility. There is nothing impossible if we try our best to make it happen. Even though Rose was accidently put into vocational track, he still work on his way to success. In his first year of high school, he didn’t do so good in his classes. He even copy homework from his fellow classmates. In his second year, he did very well in biology and his grade improved a lot. Later, he received help from his English teacher Mr.MacFarland and got into a college. The way to be successful is to get far from average. By wanting more in life give motivation to move forward and to move further.

Does Mike Rose’s story inspire you to pursuit your own goals? Mike Rose’s hard work and effort finally rewarded. He is now a professor in the University of Los Angeles. He has won many awards including the National Academy of Education, the National Council of Teachers of English and the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. From Mike Rose’s story, I understand the quote that people always mention which is “ Your hard work will pay off. Don’t give up”. I can be successful just as Mike Rose.