Modern Day Lynchings Courtesy of our Justice System?

I fear for our children and young adults daily. Locally we've had a rash of shootings,the majority involving people under the age of 25. Two of these cases involved young men I knew personally. It's been almost two years since Daniel Covington, son of a former principal I worked for was fatally shot in the streets of Louisville, Ky. According to many witnesses outside of the club, Isaiah Howes and a passenger in his car were shouting racial slurs to Daniel. Daniel, unarmed ran up to the car window and was fatally shot in "self defense." I don't carry a gun and if someone runs up to my car, I'm driving off. If the person happens to get injured in the process, that is a direct result of their actions. In this case the driver shot a gun. Facts: Howe, the shooter is white, a baseball player for UofL and the son of a prominent attorney. Covington, is a black, former UofL football player that had racial slurs directed at him. While it wasn't good judgement to run up to the window to address these slurs, fatally shooting him was not adequate force to stop it, it was over the top unnecessary.

" Louisville, Ky. (WHAS11) - WHAS11 News has learned that the man accused of shooting former U of L player Daniel Covington will not be charged.
A judge has ordered that this case not be turned over to the grand jury."

What a travesty on an apparent racially motivated incident that had multiple witnesses to attest to this fact.

I am as, if not more, deeply disturbed by the Trayvon Martin incident. How a 17 year old child with a cell phone, iced tea and a bag of skittles poses a lethal threat to an older, at least 130 pounds larger, gun wielding man is beyond my realm of imagination. This gun toting, vigilante, neighborhood watch man, George Zimmerman can chase, against law enforcement's advice, this 17 year old black boy, gun him down and still be walking around? A disgrace to our country, it's principles and a major step back in time. I am appalled.
I understand there's two sides to all stories, I understand there's good people in law enforcement and our courts that take the job of upholding the law seriously and fairly, but I also know there is an ugly side. A side that uses racial profiling to make routine stops, to impose punishments and to degrade young minority men to the point of frustration. How does the white lady know this? Because my half black/half white sons have been victims of such on numerous occasions including their experiences in public school. This morning's incident was a blatant example and basically verified by the officer with his own words. We have a store around the corner that happens to sit beside a police precinct. I have driven to this store many times without incident, yet this morning my son went there and on his way back home was pulled over, not for a traffic infraction, but in the words of the officer, "You drove by me twice, I thought you were up to no good." The sad part about all of this is his dignity is and has,been stripped away little by little over the years.

There are those that will claim we've come so far since pre civil rights movement, but I really have to question if we truly have or are some just cleverly designing new ways to "lynch?"

Not Just Another Christmas Ornament

As I was finishing up in the classroom today I looked around and saw one of my previous kindergarteners standing in the doorway with his mother. He was smiling as he walked up to me with a little package, handed it to me with a hug and said, "Merry Christmas, Ms. Owens." I opened the gift and found a beautiful little handmade ornament. As he and his mother walked away I thought about the first time 2 years ago when I met this young man.

It was the first day of kindergarten and my room was full of excited children and nervous parents. I was handing out tissues to the criers, assuring them that their first day would be okay. I had just gotten the children settled and was encouraging distraught parents to leave when I heard a commotion, looked around and saw one young man becoming aggitated. I approached him cautiously asking him what was wrong. I was greeted with a chair thrown at me and words I don't even say! As if that wasn't bad enough, he headed straight for the door and escaped from the confines of my classroom. I understand the importance of first impressions, but couldn't concern myself with that as I kicked off my shoes and pursued my little runner. Little did I know that this was the beginning of a tumultuous relationship consisting of chases, dodging hurled objects and lots of conversation. Through our exchanges I began to realize there was an angry and hurt little boy underneath his tough exterior. As time went on he began to entrust me with his deepest thoughts; missing his dad who was incarcerated, disappointment after disappointment in his everyday life outside of school. Eventually he stopped running and began to channel this energy into what was going on inside our classroom. It was the one safe place he had and we utilized to the fullest each moment. I was amazed and delighted as his hardened frowns began to soften and he began to enjoy learning. Once this happened he was like a sponge, absorbing everything he could. The transformation was a beautiful sight!

Even after two years, he still makes an effort to stop by my room, throw me a random hug and just say "hi." The little ornament he handed me isn't just another one to hang on my tree, it's a reminder that his story is what it's all about and why I love my job!

There's A Hairball Between My Legs!

Walking to gym today we noticed a young lady walking funny; knees together, kind of waddling. Our first thought was she had an accident, so Ms. T asked her what was wrong. She stopped and pulled a ball off a ponytail holder from between her knees and said, "I can't walk right cuz I have a hairball between my legs."
*immature giggles*
Apparently her ponytail holder had broken and she had no pocket to put it in so stuck it between her knees. I love my job!

Do You Know The Stories Of The Children You Teach?-The Importance Of Relationships

One of the most horrendous statements I've ever heard come out of a fellow educator's mouth was, " I don't want him on my class list. You know how those high yellow children are." Oh PLEASE tell me since my own sons are of mixed race. Please explain to me just how "those" children are. What scares me the most is how many "undesirables" passed through her classroom doors and how many of those children were adversely affected by her attitude. It is attitudes like this I blame for most of the failures in our educational system.

The old adage you get what you expect is unfortunately a truth in some classrooms. Some educators have preconceived notions about children that automatically set our children up for failure. The child is poor, a minority, a boy, lives in a broken home, has special needs and the list goes on. The attitude that "these" children have external or physical issues that will prevent them from success in a classroom trickles down from the teacher right into those he/she is responsible for. Expectations are lowered, higher children are the main focus and the lower functioning children fall farther behind. Sadly, at the beginning of my teaching career I bought into the excuse crap I had been sold, but as I continued along my journey, I began to realize that I had the control in my classroom to either make or break the children I had the privilege of working with regardless of their circumstances that I had no control over. It was my career awakening and from that point on I began to see major growth in all my students, not just the privileged few.

Teachers MUST make the most of their 7 hours together each day with the children. Trusting relationships must be developed, something that is highly undervalued in education; not only with the children, but with the parents themselves. In kindergarten I am working with many parents of first time school children and at times they come feeling intimidated. Until a parent is comfortable with me, there's a barrier, one that must be broken. Building those relationships can be very time consuming, but parent support is an invaluable resource in assuring their child gets a quality education. I'm no better than them, God knows I've had my share of personal struggles and it's a must that my students' parents understand that I'm not their judge. Am I accessable to them? Very much so. Aside from the school number and my email, I give them my cell number and tell them to text or call anytime they need to. Parents really seem to be comfortable with texting in this day of technology and instant communication and I've never had anyone abuse my number. They will text me if their child is sick, forgot something, or changes in transportation. As the year goes on, I'll hear from them on weekends telling me their child says "hi" and this year on Super Bowl Sunday they blew up my phone with well wishes and congratulations on my team's victory. In turn, I will send them texts at times when their child does something awesome and even send the ones with picture capability photos from field trips and other events. It's amazing how the informal communication naturally leads us into the academic and behavioral progress and needs. Parents attitudes trickle down to their children and if we keep it positive, our classroom environment becomes a product of that. The more knowledge I have of each child as a whole enables me to better meet their individual needs and in turn assure academic progress.

Who is in my classroom? This year alone I have 90% free/reduced lunch, over 50% minority, 8 of 26 children with IEP's and 2 more being evaluated. I have 2 children being raised by grandparents because the mom dropped them off and never came back. I have a child who's uncle was gunned down and murdered in their driveway in front of them and who's own mom and dad were jailed recently for trafficking narcotics. The police burst in their home in front of him at 2 am and took his parents away. I have a girl who's dad just got out of the penitentiary for robbing a gas station and beating the clerk with a tire iron. THIS is my class, these are my children I'm responsible for teaching and I guarantee that by May they all will have made a year's worth of growth regardless. How? Because I know their academic needs, not as a class but as an individual and it is those needs I address. I know my children inside and out, hold no judgement against them or their caregivers and make the 7 hours I have them the most valuable time I can.

Don't believe me? I'll blog our successful year in May!

What's Up, Doc?

We've been working on personal writings. Since I teach 4&5 yr old children and it's the first month of school, one sentence is our goal. The topic was something they like. Each child wrote their sentence then illustrated. One young man was absent so Ms. T, my awesome aide took him out today to work with him on his writing piece. He told her he liked rabbits, then proceeded with this story:
"My fwind (friend) has fwee (three) wabbits (rabbits)", as he held up FOUR fingers, and continues with his story; "One wabbit got something stuck up his ASS and they had to pull them apart and fix them."
He said this as innocently as it gets, clueless that ass was an inappropriate word for school. We've laughed all day thinking he probably observed bunny sex! I love my job!

A Tribute To Mom

It's been 14 years ago today that I lost my mom in a struggle with cancer, but through it all I saw her strength, love and how even til the end she cared for others above herself. I was blessed to be with my mom in her final moments and the look of peace that came over her face after her last breath has been the greatest source of comfort to me through the years. I know beyond any doubt she was finally pain free and in a better place, still watching over her family.
Like anyone I have wonderful and not so wonderful memories, afterall, she was my mother. Friend at times, foe during my rebellious days. My father was in upper management at IBM and in politics. Mom stayed home with my brother and me, putting her college career on hold until we started school. I watched her get her bachelor's and master's degrees while always finding time for us and embarking on her teaching career. She didn't have to work, she LOVED teaching with a passion and I thank God daily I had her as an example as I near the end of an almost 30 year teaching career. I can attribute much of my love for teaching to her! My mother loved people, regardless of anything. She was forgiving, kind and gave more of herself to others than most people combined. She was our family rock and instilled in me the importance of forgiveness and caring for family. Her legacy lives on and I am grateful she was an amazing role model in that respect.
Living the lifestyle we did, I remember mom deciding "charm school" would be something I might need in my life. I was less than enthusiastic at the prospect and it ended up being a not as happy ending version of the princess diaries! I'll never forget the grace and charm I showed on the stage for our fashion show, focusing on our walking skills and I fell off the stage. Mom loved her clumsy gal anyways! I also was a budding pianist, yet totally froze up and quit right on stage at my recital. Mom loved me anyway! Then there's the sewing lessons and brand new machine she bought me. I didn't want to sew and was happy as hell when someone stole my machine in college. She loved me anyway! I can't forget my wedding in college. Hundreds of people, 10 attendants, the expensive dress I HAD to have and all the fairytale glitz and glamour, paid for with her teaching money. Even after the marriage failed four years later, my mom still loved me. Through the tats, piercings, pregnancies and abusive relationship where I shut her out of my life from embarassment, she persisted and was there for me. What a remarkable human being she was. I was blessed to be able to teach with my mother the last four years of her life and I will always be grateful for that. I love you, mom!
9-10-97

Yello is not Yellow-Week 2

One of the most entertaining things at the start of kindergarten is the language development. This year I have 5 children with speech/language IEP's and a possible 2 more soon, but even 4 and 5 year old children without IEP's have a language of their own! It's entirely too much fun to begin deciphering each child's way of saying things. Despite the fact I've become quite adept at this skill, twice this week I struggled. One little boy kept asking me if he could put his paper in his tummy. I realize they get hungry during the day, but for the life of me couldn't figure out why he wanted to eat his paper! After numerous tries I realized he wanted to put his paper in his cubby, not tummy. The second incident occurred during our first attempt at a project that included cutting and gluing. This is always a traumatic event for all involved including my aide and myself. Most have never held scissors, let alone cut and the old glue saying, "a little dot makes a lot" is useless until they understand the concept of a little. After an hour of tears, retries and glue all over the place we took a collective sigh of relief and smiled about the creations, soon forgetting that at first this appeared to be a "scarred for life experience!" During this time a young lady kept insisting she needed giggers. It wasn't until she made a cutting motion we realized she meant scissors, whew!
This was also color week so each day we repped a color. Our first was yellow day and I'd found this song about yellow to the tune of "If You're Happy and You Know It..." As I was attempting to teach them, one sharp 5 year old boy politely raised his hand and said, "Ms. Owens, yellow is spelled y e l l o w. See? This paper says so." Apparently in my feeble attempt to fit the words into the tune I was spelling yellow y e l l o.
I love my job!