"One Word"

As I reflect on my observations of and experiences in urban education, I can sum it up with the word commitment. We need commitment from our teachers, parents, students, school district officials, education advocates, and states’ department of education. We all have to be committed to making sure that we promoting education in a positive manner. As I have stated in the past, students have to take some self-responsibility in their education. Too often they blame the teachers and their parents for the choices that they have made. They do not consider the affect it will have on their futures. I fear that they will learn that lesson at a great expense.

In being committed, we as educators and supporters of education we cannot exclude or forget about those who require additional help and services. Those children who have special needs, both learning and emotional disabilities deserve the same level of commitment. We cannot give up on them. Patience is everything in the education field. Some days the kids will want to learn and participate and the next they have “I don’t care attitudes”.

Despite the challenges we face in educating the next generation, we cannot give up. We have to be consistent and fair in our practices, and tactful in our instructional delivery. We have to practice what we preach and share our experiences. We have to be committed.