A Shameful Memory

An unfortunate event in 9^th grade was the most significant event in my decision to become a teacher as I witnessed repeated harassment and bullying of a classmate at the end of Health class.  It remains my shame to this day that I did nothing to intercede to help my classmate who had his lunch money extorted from him many days. 

My parents raised me better than that.  They raised me to do the right thing.  And I chose to do nothing!  I could have said something to Bobby after class, even “Hey man, don’t let him bother you!”  At least he would have known that somebody noticed and somebody cared.  As it was I’m sure he felt all alone and that nobody cared. 

           

I could have said something to Greg, "Leave him alone.”  At least he would have known that somebody noticed and somebody cared that what he was doing was wrong.  I don’t know why I didn’t do something – let the teacher know, let my parents know – something.  I guess I was too immature; too selfishly minded; maybe I was just glad it wasn’t me.  It is shameful and to this day I carry that shame because I can’t go back and undo it and I can’t ever make it right.  I lost the opportunity to help someone who needed me and I’ll never have the chance again.  

           

I learned for the first time that not everyone was having a good school experience like me; I learned that for some students school was difficult and unpleasant.  What was revealed to me then was that if I became a teacher I could help students have better school experiences.  I made my decision at that moment.  

This is the memory that fueled my desire to become a teacher and it is the fuel that drives me today to make sure that every student has a good experience in school.  This is why we are investing so heavily in building a culture of leadership among our students.  One person can do a little.  One hundred can do a lot.  By developing leaders through Student Council, Jr. Beta Club, Student Leadership Academy, Peer Leaders, Student Mentors, Student Ambassadors, News Team Members, Basketball, Cheer and Dance Teams, SRP Council, and Special Education Buddies, we are creating a school culture that is kinder and more supportive of each other.  And that is the way it should be.

What Does Your Love Letter Say To The World?

I didn’t know much about Mother Teresa until I bought a book of quotations in the early 90’s and began to read through it.  I knew that she worked with some of the poorest people in the world in the slums of Calcutta and won the Nobel Peace Prize for her work.  When I came to her page of quotations, I was stunned by their power and compassion.  She only had one page of quotes while the other notable leaders had multiple pages of quotes, but her words spoke to me like no one else’s.

           

            “We can do no great things – only small things with great love.”

           

            “I do not pray for success.  I ask for faithfulness.”

           

            “I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter  to the world.” 

I got her biography and read more about her and realized that these words were life-transforming…I am not sure if she really was of this earth or not.  It is hard for me to imagine a human being dedicating her work and life to living among people who are among the poorest in the world.  People who were destitute, unwanted, dying.  I found it truly remarkable that a Catholic Nun could dedicate herself to people of other faiths – people of the Hindu faith, the Muslim faith, and even people of no faith. 

Public educators do this too!  We write our own “love letter” to the world by doing the work that we do, serving every child who walks through our door regardless of their background.  What does your love letter say?   

"Holy Workers"

My wife, son, and I attended our church choir’s performance of Handel’s “Messiah” the week before Christmas, 2005.  It was an ambitious undertaking for a small church and a very commendable performance by the choir.  I think King George II would have leapt to his feet in appreciation just as he did during the “Messiah’s” premier.

As I sat in the audience, I scanned the sanctuary observing the diversity among our church family.  Elderly grandparents, sleeping babies, African Americans, Asian Americans, Americans of European ancestry, people of different political affiliations, people representing different economic attainment, and even a range of faith though we all claim to be Presbyterian – and just think about the differences in personalities!  Though our congregation is not nearly as diverse as some, I thought it interesting that people who are so different find grace in the same church sanctuary.

           

Where else do Americans find such welcome and acceptance?  American Public Schools!  Here Americans find a different, but still powerful kind of grace. 

Americans are so different – in faith, philosophy, political affiliations, race, ethnicity, age, ancestry, economic standing, and even sexual orientation.  But it really isn’t so remarkable that we are so different is it?  After all, this is America!  What is so remarkable is our commonality.  What “knits” people of such diversity together?  What commonalities do Americans share? What holds a nation of diverse and sometimes conflicting backgrounds together?

Three major things:  our democratic republic, our economic system of free enterprise, and our system of public education.  While some would argue which of the three is most important, they are all important and despite all of our differences, we all share the benefit these provide. 

           

In America the ability of an individual to secure political and economic franchise is neither automatic nor guaranteed.  It is an opportunity available to Americans and their ability to attain it depends to a large degree on the performance of America’s public schools.  Those people most disenfranchised from political and economic power in our country, by and large, are those people who have been least successful in school.   Those people suffering most have reaped the least benefit that public education can provide.  The performance of America’s public schools is of national importance and of importance for every single child.

           

In the season of Christmas, Hanukah, and Kwanza, I was reminded that public school educators do what Lorraine Monroe calls “holy work” in “sacred places.”  They impact the life of every child they teach and they change those lives in long lasting measure.  Their work helps our students secure the political and economic benefit that is unavailable without them.

Public school educators deserve honor and blessing for doing the work they do and for serving the children and families they serve.  As individuals and as a nation, we owe them that.