Our celebration of Dr. Seuss and literacy last week brought many smiles and learning to last a lifetime to our students. I want to thank each of you for your hard work and the wonderful learning that took place at UTE. However, it came as no surprise to me because of what I have seen you do all year.
This week brings DEA and DIBELS testing along with our dance artist in residence who will be working with 4th and 5th graders. My thoughts are also on our fellow Kentuckians who lost everything and worse, family in the storms Friday night. I thank God for the safety of all the UTE families and our community. Many churches in this area are helping with relief and I have heard from several of you about helping out. As of yesterday evening, there was no further place for storage of donated clothing in the West Liberty area. They are not letting residents back in yet. I'm sure we will be able to assist in some way. The soup kitchen in Morehead has been asked to prepare 200 - 400 meals a day for the next 2 weeks. I know they need money. I believe that the schools were not harmed, but I'm sure the students will need things when they return. We will do what we can as a school to help.
In the grand scheme of things, the worries we have about grades, test scores, and schedules are very minor in comparison. I love what many of you said last week about being in our profession to help children realize their potential and dreams. I know there is no better place to ever be than an elementary school. I hope that every person at UTE shares that sentiment.
In closing, I asked myself a question about the tragedy in West Liberty this weekend. "If everything you own is suddenly destroyed, what chance do you have at recovery if you do not
know how to think, problem solve, and access resources independently?" We are creating citizens of the future. They need to have the heart of a tiger and the skills of the 21st century. We must give them the tools they need to have a fighting chance in this world. It is much more than 2+2, it is a matter of life quality and length. I leave you with my favorite quote about education. "Education is the great equalizer of men." ~ Horace Mann. Do you believe this to be true? If so, how does this belief impact how you interact daily with students and families? Are we making a difference? Are we preparing them to be strong and productive? If not, what must we change?
I am a firm believer in education. I came from a family in which both parents did not get the opportunity to complete school and they were determined that all their children had that opportunity and that we would graduate if we wanted to or not. Saddly though there are parents that do not respect or appreciate education. Scary thought that we may be the only people in a child's life that tells them how important education is or how important they are. I try to remember this each and every day when I enter the classroom.
ReplyDeleteIt is scary to think we are the only ones that tell children how important their education is, but I agree it is true.
DeleteI believe education is the key for everyone to succeed. I remember telling students it doesn't matter where you came from but, where you are going. If it wasn't for grants I would have never be able to further my education. My parents encouraged me to do well but, finacially the means wasn't there. Students must know if you want to succeed you have to work at it and as my great grandmother would say "If there is a will, there is a way".
ReplyDeleteA quote from the book Coach - Lessons on the Game of Life by Michael Lewis - "There are teachers with a rare ability to enter a child's mind; it's as if their ability to get there at all gives them the right to stay forever." When I read that quote on the flap of the book, it made me think of the teachers who have stayed with me forever and the lessons they taught me. Alex was in high school when I read the book and it inspired me to ask him about the teachers who "got in his mind". He named four - Connie Hillman, Linda Carter, James Byron, and Doug Calhoun. I purchased copies of the book, wrote a little note about my conversation with Al, and gave each a copy. As teachers, we have so much power to influence our students. I think we must teach our students (occasionally we will teach a parent or two) lessons not just on core content but lessons about self-respect, courage, and endurance. Students need to know it feels good to work hard and do a good job. I firmly believe students need to be held accountable for their learning. I also believe we must set the bar high so that students will set the bar high for themselves. Education is the key for success - but, you have to have those positive life lessons we as teachers are in the position to provide to succeed in today's world.
ReplyDeleteBeing a teacher, I of course realize that education is the great equalizer. It allows all who wish, regardless of their background the opportunity to be what they wish to be. As Educators, it is not only our obligation but also, our desire to install that belief to our students. We need to motivate our students to have that life long love of learning. Then, when they leave us, they will continue to be learners for the rest of their lives. The sky will be the limit on what the can do!
ReplyDeleteI feel, that education is the most important equalizer that anyone can have. Everyone needs an education and I try to stress the importance of it to my students here at UTE. I want my students to know and feel that they can be anything that they want, but that they are going to have to work to get it. I strongly believe that we're all working together here at UTE to express the importance of school.
ReplyDeleteEducation is the equalizer!!! It's hard to believe but many children in our area do not hear this except at school. Last month when I went to Aalyah's Playschool Graduation (3-4 year olds) I overheard a conversation of a fellow parent. The head teacher explained that this would be the first of hopefully two more graduations we would witness, high school and then college. A parent behind me said she could only hope for a high school graduation and would be lucky if she saw that. I was blown away at 3 or 4 she has already lowered the expectations for her child. As teachers we may be the only voice of the value of education.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that education is the equalizer. Not only do we teach skills but we also teach life lessons. Hopefully I will have students who will one day say they remember me teaching them about things they encounter in life.
ReplyDeleteEducation is the greatest equalizer achieved by anyone. The teachers at UTES strive to bestow the best education possible to each and every student at our school. I feel previleged to have a heritage were education was, next to God,the top priority. My great-grandfather was the first school superintendent of Elliott Co. My grandmother donated his private library to the county to be matched by the state so that the school could have a library for their students. My grandfather rode horseback to college to gain a higher education. My family is rich with doctors, dentists, teachers, ministers and so on. My uncle just retired head of the unions in Washington D.C. and my cousin just retired Ky State Attorney. All of this is possible because of an education.
ReplyDeleteEducation is the great equalizer! I've always heard one thing no one can take away from you is your education and that is so true. Having a strong educational background and gaining the knowledge to be a life long learner is essential. I feel we are preparing our students for bright futures here at UTE. If we don't let our students know what they are capable of they may never know or hear it elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mr. Mann. I think an education is the great equalizer of men. I was very poor and had very little as a child. Our behavior (I felt) was the most important thing. How people seen us? How you were acting? "You don't want others to think badly of you".... so behave! Education was important but not really expected after high-school. I believe that I was given a second chance when at a later age in life I decided to go back to school. Sometimes I still feel as though it's not real. I know my students can do anything they set their minds to. I am living proof of that. I feel it is my job to teach them to overcome the weaknesses in their lives and look always toward tomorrow. That's where the future is and that is where everyone has the ability to make their lives better.
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