"Pop, Lock, and Drop it, Education Blockers Get Out of the Way"

This past week I had to travel to South Florida to attend the funeral of my Grandfather. I was in South Florida the entire week visiting with family. I never cried and laughed so much my entire life. I found out so many things that I never knew about my Grandfather and extended family. My Grandfather was uneducated(did not graduate high school), served two terms in the Navy, not because he loved it but because he had no where else to go, and that he retired after thirty years of service to the City of Fort Lauderdale as one of the most respected Supervisors ever. He was a man that believed in hard work and taking care of his family. How does my Grandfather relate to education? Let me tell you, not everyone in life will attend Harvard, not everyone in life will be a doctor, cop, CSI detective, whatever. What all people will do one day is hold a job and hopefully raise a family. The public education system in America is designed to produce citizens who will effectively participate in our Democratic Government and protect our rights as American citizens. As educators we are to do our best to produce the best citizens possible. For teachers in poverty stricken areas or of high violence this task is extremely difficult. Without the support of the parents our job of producing effective citizens is almost impossible. My Grandfather and Grandmother went out of their way to make my mom and uncle feel special and loved as children. My Grandparents sacrificed much so they never went without. My parents did the same for my brother and I. Growing up we did not have much but we had love. It sounds cheesy but it is true. I felt loved and special from an early age. I felt bad when I lied or did bad on a test because I knew I would let down my parents. I did the right thing because my parents cared for me and loved me and I knew it. I was not a straight A student, in all honesty I barely graduated from high school and college. I was not born to be a rocket scientist or a doctor, I was born as who I am, me. My parents accepted that and loved me for who I am. My point is that without a child knowing that he or she is loved how can they succeed in school and life. If a child is never made to feel special by a parent, grandparent or guardian, why would they care about others? A fellow teacher at my school makes the kids feel so good about themselves when they are around her that they want to work hard for her. I do not have that gift just yet. But is that enough for a teacher to make a child feel special. Some children face unimaginable circumstances at home and still make it to school and do well. Some kids come from great homes and act like terds. There is no simple answer to the education problem in America. One thing is for sure, children need to know that they are loved for who they are. Children need to be accepted by their parents and be made to feel special. Without those two things I believe it will be that much harder for them to succeed in school and in life.