Over the past month, my colleagues and I have been working in tandem on several assignments. Our most interesting assignments have been the group projects we have been given. Working together to create studies that are interesting and achieve a deep level of thinking has been challenging. We all work full time and are attempting to work on a doctoral degree. Yes, there is a good possibility that it will make us all a little crazy.
From my coursework so far however, I have developed several workshops for teachers that will lead to improved practice for students. As long as what I am learning will make a difference for students, then it is a worthwhile endeavor.
I have gone from being succinct to becoming long winded. Two videos that I want to share here however have really captured why I do what I do. First watch this on students who live in poverty.
Then consider what happens to students who live in poverty or who have a low income during the summer. My friend and mentor, Superintendent Lecaroz shared these with me, they are powerful motivators.
Public libraries, summer recreation programs, food pantries...what gets cut when people trim their town budgets in order to save on taxes? March in many New England towns, is when we vote on budgets for our communities. In the last few years, my March Madness has come from watching our poor students lose support from their communities.
Does anyone really understand what a difference these programs make to students who have no where else to turn?
To make a difference, one has to begin somewhere. In this program, with these people, this is my beginning.
