February 11, 2008
I had the pleasure of meeting a wonderful young woman last Friday night.
Shay's a teacher who works with middle school children at a charter school in Detroit. She's been there for five years, and some of the stories she tells about her day to day job really settled me back in my seat and got me to thinking.
And truly humbled me.
Many people say to Shay things like, "Wow…you really make a difference in these kids' lives." and "I don't think I could do what you do."
She says, "You just do it."
But then she went on to say that the frustrating thing, the thing that people who say those things don't understand is that no matter what happens at that school, no matter what positive environment they succeed in creating, those kids go home from school and their real lives take over. Their lives of drunken or high parents, drug raids on their home, parents who don't want them to go to school but instead want them to be home to keep them company/watch their younger children/etc., and so on.
Parents who get angry with a teacher who buys their child a new pair of pants…because the child only has one pair.
Parents who don't want their children to read because they can't. And don't want to.
Even…the most frustrating thing, especially in Detroit, is that these people who fought for education, who fought for equality in the race riots in the late '60s…aren't sharing their victories with these children. They are "aliterate"–they can read, or could at one time, but no longer care to, and so have lost their skills.
Their children are having to fight for it all over again.
In too many cases, the good that the school and teachers do can't have an impact on these kids because they still have to deal with "real life."
These are children whose favorite snacks are apples. Or carrots and ranch dressing–because they never get that at home.
Because crap is cheaper to buy than fresh fruits and vegetables.
This is sort of a rambling blog entry, and I apologize, but I feel the need to express the dismay and yet hope that I felt when hearing about this experience. And the truly humbling feeling I had after talking with Shay and realizing that she is making a difference in kids' lives.
Dismay that even dedicated teachers and schools have a hard time making any impact on a child's life because of the limited time they have.
And hope because there are people like Shay, teachers in all venues–inner city or not–who are determined to make a difference. Even if it's just a little bit. Even if that difference won't be evident for years.
Shay hasn't had the smoothest life herself, and she's been able to translate her ups and downs into a way to connect with these kids. She says that the eighth grade class they have at the school now is the best class they've ever had…because this is the first class that's been at that school all along. They've had a chance to let those little bits of goodness infiltrate their lives.
And yet, these teachers burn out. They get tired of having lock-downs at the school because of a drug-raid across the street. Or having to deal with the parent of one of the students come running into the school, half-dressed, because a drug deal has gone wrong–without considering the danger that those students and teachers might be put in because he's trying to save his butt.
So, on this very cold Monday morning in Michigan, I'm extending a truly heartfelt thank you and blessings to people like Shay who are making a difference in children's lives, whether they believe it or not…whether they think it's enough or not.
Have you met a teacher or someone who works with children who's really humbled you by what they do? Please share.
February 11th, 2008 at 9:24 am
I certainly echo your thanks. I know I don’t have the patience or fortitude to be a teacher, especially not in the public school system of today. I would be too easily frustrated. Hard work and thankless wages, kudos to those with the passion to do it and do it well despite this and other drawbacks.
February 11th, 2008 at 10:15 am
My Dad was a teacher. He really cared about each student and worked with them whatever their circumstances…a learning disability, problems at home or a seemingly unlikeable lonely child. He tried to always give a little extra time, attention and understanding on an individual basis in the hopes of helping them succeed.
Completely unrelated…I finished reading The Bleeding Dusk on Friday. After those last 30 pages I was like “WHEW!” what an intense and exciting ending! By Sat. afternoon I was feeling totally bummed that the book was over! There’s no doubt I’ll pick it up and read it again very soon - thoroughly enjoyable!!!
Still pondering a picture idea for the contest. I think I am going to hit up the kids for some ideas!
February 11th, 2008 at 11:01 am
I used to teach preschool in a low income area in Halifax, Nova Scotia. At circle time we were asking all of the children what was their favorite thing to eat for supper. One little girl said, “Seconds.” The other teachers and I were freaked out by that. She didn’t care what she ate as long as there was more of it.
Then there was the time when we took the kids to an indoor gym at the local recreation center. The middle class kids ran straight for the equipment and started playing. The low income kids went to the bench and sat down. Again we freaked. We had to take the kids and show them how to play.
Whatever time those kids had with us was important to their development. There’s no way to measure it for sure, but giving a ray of sunshine into a gloomy world is never wasted.
February 11th, 2008 at 11:12 am
I work with a youth organization, for 12 to 19 year olds. It’s a free program, so we get a lot of kids from under-privileged families. We even get kids who are placed with us by their social workers or parole officers. Our maxim is that for many of the kids our program is the best day of their week, so we work to make sure they have a great day.
There are at least 5 or 6 people I work with every week, who humble me.
February 11th, 2008 at 11:34 am
I had my Teach For America application completely filled out, ready to do my part when I got to the “area placement preference” section. Teach for America does not place teachers in Detroit. The ENTIRE reason I was applying to Teach for America was so that I could teach in Detroit, an area that I know can benefit. I am so disappointed. Maybe I’ll apply next year, but I’m not sure I will. I don’t want to be relocated to NYC or LA. Supposedly Michigan is the biggest feeder of Teach for America, so then why don’t we get to make a difference in the city we’ve probably had most experience in?
February 12th, 2008 at 1:29 am
The same niece who picked up my copy of Dusk is working on her master’s in social work. She wants to work in a school setting and is interning in a middle school right now.
I admire her dedication because I know the heartbreak that’s waiting for her. It hurts so much to see kids in situations like you’ve described and know that there really isn’t a lot you can do for them. I can only pray that she will find a way to deal with that heartbreak without losing her generous spirit and giving nature.
My hat is off to all of them, too.
cjh
February 13th, 2008 at 9:52 am
I’d like to add my thanks as well. My son has been diagnosed with PDD (Pervasive Developmental Disorder…it’s an autistic spectrum disorder, for those of you unfamiliar with it), so he has a Special Education teacher in his class along with his regular teacher. I am both amazed and humbled by what teachers do. It’s kind of crazy that when you’re a student, you don’t really appreciate teachers as much as when you’re a parent of a student. I also tip my hat to teachers!