No Excuses: Simply Do What You Must to Teach the Children
I have been a Music Teacher, Exceptional Student Education Teacher, Reading Teacher, Curriculum Resource Specialist, Reading Coach, Instructional Coach, and presently I am a Staffing and Compliance Specialist for ESE and ELL students here in the Orange County Public School System in Orlando, FL.
Sometimes I feel like the shadow of JIM CROW has cast itself over our educational system with a vengeance. It is still true that a poor education guarantees a poor lifestyle. Unfortunately, we (minorities) are still separate and unequal. Yes, we are in the same school buildings and it looks like we have access to the same materials, but it is simply not true.
Unfortunately, I have witnessed years of students being retained, staffed into the ESE program, placed in classes the system felt was adequate for the student(s) when it appeared they were not or could not learn. However, the truth is many times the teachers were not properly trained and monitored. Resources, interventions and accommodations were not properly implemented. Another sad truth is there are veteran teachers who literally do not believe that certain students can learn. How do you expect great results on FCAT or any other assessments students are required to take if they are not properly prepared. The easy way out is to blame the students.
I believe all students can learn if they are given equal resources that will be used to edify each student not just the strong student who needs little help anyway. The under resourced students must be exposed to the education we are requiring them to learn. Just opening a book and reading it does not mean you are or have been exposed to the text. The teacher's job is to make the text meaningful and memorable by any means necessary.
To the defense of most districts, the workshops on how to differentiate instruction are provided, how to reach the under resourced are provided, and how to bring instructions to life are provided. Unfortunately, it is not always used on those that need it. I love my district, all my trainings were provided free of charge by my district. I made it a purpose to use the training provided for all students especially those who needed it and as a result I was very successful in the classroom and I am very successful outside of the classroom.
We must educate our parents on what CIVIL RIGHTS means, on what the importance of Education means, on how important it is for them to be involved in their children’s education and how it important it is for them to educate themselves. We must stop the blame game and get involved in our communities. Thurgood Marshall and many others have paved the way for us to continue what they started. Our problem is we blame each other and quit, instead of having the I will die doing what I believe in attitude… Our ancestors did it.
Alisa L. Grace is a Staffing Specialist at Acceleration Academy in Orlando, Florida.
Very well said. Though there are still many injustices, we have to as parents of today's children adequately equip ourselves to address and defeat them all. Going into the school and yelling and cursing as many blacks have done for years doesn't do anything but strengthen the stereotypes that already exist. We do more when we arm ourselves with knowledge sucH as Mrs. Grace is providing here and fight with brain power and righteousness. Let's show up! Lets request conferences before a problem to show that we have genuine interest and we are not just railers with no couth and force them to recognize that we will have nothing less than success for our children. God Bless - ThePreacherMan
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