… and when necessary use words
I’m back.
Just found this article on UrbanFaith.com that, among other things talks about the education disparity among rich and poor students.
Wisdom of a 5th-Grade Solomon – UrbanFaith.com.
Solomon looked at me for a moment and then he burst out laughing. He was not convinced of my words in the slightest. “Aw c’mon Ms. Baker, nobody thinks we’re smart! If they did, they wouldn’t give us this broken-down school and these ratty old books. You don’t even have enough paper and pencils for us!”
As a first-year teacher, I was shocked that a 10-year-old was fully aware of the implicit disparity in our country’s two-tiered public education system. He wondered why someone like me — an African American who had graduated from college and “made it” — would ever choose to teach in his low-income public school.
The article itself is a good read, but the section above struck me, because it also illustrates how messages that we never explicitly state can still be clearly communicated through our actions. If we truly value those who have the least, then we must pay attention to how the societal structures we are a part of reflect that value.
Yes, I know I’m probably preaching to the choir with my readers. So for those of you who are working to make it happen, I salute you and hope you continue to find encouragement in your work.
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1
…and how many wealthy kids in private schools squander their education away?
I do think that children who are given substandard supplies will not feel valued as pupils, especially when the “standard” is probably something blasting into their houses on TV.
However, I also believe that education needs to be reinforced by family, and when family is unable, but society. It takes a village, right?
2
I agree (though I would say that it should be reinforced by family and society even if family the family is able). An interesting study I heard (and may need to research) is that one of the major factors in literacy in kids is that their parents read stories to them at bedtime, for fun or whenever. There is a significant amount that does happen at home so I think a huge part of it is empowering and encouraging the parents of those kids to make the at home steps as well.