It is important that education is properly implemented and easily accessible to all people. Poor teaching occurs in classrooms today, such as boring lectures that consist of taking notes and regurgitating information. Because of this, people lack the motivation to take advantage of their academic opportunities. In his essay “I Just Wanna Be Average,” Mike Rose writes about how during most of his academic career “[he] did what [he] had to do to get by, and [he] did it with half a mind ” (154). Not only did Mike Rose do it, but other students follow in the same footsteps as if they were blind to the value of education and how it can empower a person. The type of educator you are taught by can differentiate whether you will "do what you need to do to get ahead" or actually put in the effort while in the classroom. Mike Rose makes it obvious that school did not appeal to him, but when introduced to a new teacher, Jack MacFarland, he states that “[he] worked very hard, because MacFarland had him hooked; he exploited [his] old interest in reading and creating stories” (160). Professors like Jack MacFarland are what leave an impact on students and help them understand the importance of academics. Rose even states that "MacFarland gave him a way to feel special by using his mind" (160). When educators can make students feel the way MacFarland made Rose feel, they can ascertain a great deal