DeVos -- What About the Kids?

For those of you who do not know, I am a teacher by profession.  This school year I took a hiatus to finish my book, and to try my hand at something new: public health education, and policy work. Although the career was not meant for me, I did learn a lot about, and gain respect for, the importance of public health education, the corporate world, and, yes, politics.  I wish my old colleagues the best of luck, but I cannot wait to get back into the classroom, especially with the current educational system climate.  I know, crazy!  

With that being said, we, as adults, have heard a lot from our peers, the media, and other outlets on how we feel, or should feel, about the new Secretary of Education of the United States.  Betsy DeVos is now in charge of setting goals, and outcomes, for how schools, teachers, and the educational system, as a whole, runs.  She has the ability to suggest changes to curricula, and can work on implementing major education reform.  It has been noted that DeVos lacks the social, life, and professional experiences to be positively successful in her position.  We have had conversations about her thoughts on school choice, vouchers, charters, teacher unions, her failed attempts in Michigan, and the heavy opposition she gets from teachers in this country.  One thing that has not been discussed, by her or the rest of the United States, is what the nation's students think of her, and the time she has taken, if any, to get their input on what they want.  As an educator, I know the importance of student involvement when creating curriculum, and lesson plans.  There are many ways to involve students in those processes: personal reflection on student performance; finding out students' interests; know, want to know, and learned (KWL) charts; authenticity, and diagnostic and formative assessments.  

I like to think that I am an involved teacher, and I take my students' ideas, thoughts, and lives seriously.  So, about a month ago, I went to my old school, the Albany Free School in Albany, New York, and spoke to some of the students about our new Secretary of Education.  To get honest/unbiased input, because some students get their ideas from things they hear adults say, I did not mention the fact that I was talking about Betsy DeVos until the end of my last conversation.  To keep my awesome friends' identities private, I will not mention their names, or ages, but here is what they had to say...

Q: Do you think that a person from an area that is over 80% white (census.gov), attended private school for their entire school career, and sent their children to private school, knows what it takes to prevent you from being discriminated against, and that brown students, like you, get equal access to education?

A: Depends on who it is.  There was a [white] lady that always stood up for me when I got picked on before, but if she doesn't know anything about working in education, then no.  I won't trust her to make sure I get the same education as rich white kids.

Q: "How would you feel if someone with no teaching experience was in charge of making decisions for you and your friends' education?"

A: "I wouldn't like it.  Because they have no experience with anything..."  He continued on a mini rant about the importance of having big decision makers with a lot of experience.

Q: If the person in charge of your, and your friends', mental and social growth, and the U.S. education system, was known to be a part of anti-LGBTQ efforts, what would you say to them?  Do you think they would have everyone's best interest in mind?

A: "First of all, why is this asshole running our education system?  The fact that you are yourself means you can't go to the bathroom at school?  Not letting people go to the bathroom should be a serious crime.  The fact that they are in charge is sad, and scary.  No, they don't have everyone's best interest in mind!" 

Q: [Your older brothers] attend public school, and are loving it.  If all the money used to fund their schools, how do you all think that would affect them?  How would you all feel for your brothers and their friends?

A: "That's messed up.  Especially if it's in a place with poverty."

A: "What if parents can't afford it?  My brother couldn't go to school."

The conversation continued on, and they spoke about how much their brothers love school, the friends they have made in their freshman year, and how they love playing sports for their schools. One of the students actually brought up another important thing on his own; the possibility of many students losing free breakfast and lunch (an effort that DeVos supports).  He said, "some students would never eat because they can't eat much at home.  It's great that they provide free breakfast and lunch!"

Q: Do you think going to college is the only way you can be successful in America?

A: "No, you can be successful, but you just won't be able to have some careers.  People get famous from YouTube and music, and some people start businesses." 

Q: If I was a billionaire, and you weren't, and we were both trying to chair a council meeting (how the Free School handles social, physical, and many other issues; using Robert's Rules of Order), how would you feel if I paid people to vote for me?

A: "NO, if you pay people it doesn't necessarily mean they like you, or think you're the best to chair, they just like your money."

I heard from many students, and they answered many questions, but these are some of the ones that stick out to me the most.  This is just an example of what students think of Betsy DeVos, but, besides pointing out the obvious fact that she is unfit for her position, I wanted to drive home the point that she does not consider the young minds, like these, that she regulates.  We want better, but more importantly, they want better, and know they deserve better.  They may not understand politics, but they understand fair, freedom, and the importance of an experience lead education system.

 I wanted to ask one more question, but couldn't find the right candidate to answer it.  If you know, and have a personal relationship with, a school aged atheist, can you please ask them this question, and leave their reply in the comment section... "As an atheist, how would you feel is someone told you that the mission of education is to advance God's kingdom?"

LINKS!:   

Check out the Albany Free School

My book, Doing Not Dreaming, is now available at Create Space, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble! *Please review it, on amazon or BN, if you read it.  Honest opinions are appreciated.*  

Another education centered article I wrote a couple of years ago entitled, Common Core Creating Common People

Lastly, like Christian Matthew on Facebook!

        

Alliteration Assassination

Pushing these pages like pedals.
Pursuing this passion with purpose.
Preacher preacher turned teacher,
trippy hippie get the people tipsy
on consciousness. Carving crafts like
Gepetto. More like black Jesus; turning water
into gin and juice, bringing joyous jubilance.

Catch it: massa' couldn't kill King Kunta.
Body's by the bushes, but his soul survived.
Subsiding. See the Sultan, hailing from the east,
establishing everyone against the establishment.
Why can't we be we when we want to be? Let
me be me, but Kendrick said this ish ain't free.
Ken Griffey in the outfield - hope you caught it.

Murderous minds don't mind miners diggin'
holes. Make moves, not noise. Doing Not
Dreaming is the motto. Going to need more than
shovels to hush the underground shuttle. Harriet
had heart. Her and abolitionists granted this kid's
Christmas wish. Or Kwanzaa. 'Cause some say the
first noel was nothing, but a spell - propaganda to
poison the people.

No matter your thoughts. Just gather your thoughts.
"They hid truth in what they taught." Less killing,
more competence. Referring to knowledge when I
speak of Negroes knocking on the nation's notions
with nines.


MY BOOK IS NOW AVAILABLE ON CREATESPACE! COMING TO AMAZON NEXT WEEK!
Doing Not Dreaming by Christian Matthew

Spoken Truth 248 Review

The highly anticipated Spoken Truth 248 is finally here, and it was well worth the wait!  The Spanish Town immigrant, turned Maryland prodigy, H.S. Flamez teams up with dynamic producer, J. Cayo, to deliver an album that tells a story of pain, growth, faith, and perseverance.  Flamez’ unique flow blended with the classic, yet innovative sound of Cayo instrumentals, make for an auditory experience like none other.

In the Intro, Flamez introduces us to himself.  With the fluid flow, but hard hitting lyrics, followed by a genuine spoken word piece, we are allowed a glimpse of the artist’s heart and ambition.  A perfect setup for the title track, and a banger at that, Spoken Truth 248.  This is where Flamez proves to us that eight plus years of dedication brings about pure and passionate art.  We are also blessed to hear Cayo’s debut as an MC; as he steps from behind the production and into the recording booth.  Will we hear more from him in the future?  I hope so.

Boxing Day is a perfect mixture of raw lyrics on a gritty instrumental.  Flamez sticks to his roots with this one, giving us a Jamrock vibe as he displays his vocals on the hook.  Speaking of vocals, let’s move on to Yours Truly.  Flamez brings along J. Taylor, a prolific 124 R&B singer, as he shows us a different side of him.  Fellas, this is that one song that makes you think about that special someone, or the one that got away.  Not only does the track put you in a “you up” text type of mood, but leaves you wondering when J.T. is going to drop a project of his own.

Diary Of A Dreamer and God Testing are two tracks in the same.  One makes you reminisce about the hard times, while the other motivates you to get up and use those hard times as motivation to grind harder.  In Diary Of A Dreamer, Flamez digs deep into the depths of his hardest trials and tribulations while Cayo’s samples sooth us.  As he states, he is “a man with a message,” and takes us to parts of his life, agony, and Montgomery County, Maryland that many may not know.  God Testing, another banger, is Flamez’ ode to the deuce.  He brings about encouragement to his brothers of 124.  Reminding us all that there is hope at the end of every dark tunnel.  The track features the 124 coke baby, Oweez The Chef, and that in itself says a lot about the track.  Light one up to this as you sit back and think about your next big move.

Overall, this album is one that is needed in today’s social climate.  H.S. Flamez and J. Cayo give us more than expected, while giving us everything that we needed.  To know that they can only get better makes me want them to release another project as soon as possible.  Knowing them, they’re probably back in the studio already.  If they aren’t, I hope they get back to it soon because we can’t wait another eight years for a second project.

Below you can watch the Spoken Truth 248 Introduction, the Boxing Day music video, and the soundcloud link to the album. Also, make sure to check out the official Spoken Truth 248 website.

~Bless Up~

"Introduction To #SpokenTruth248" Directed by SLan

Boxing Day x Spoken Truth 248

Spoken Truth 248 (Full Album)

Dreaming, Not Doing

Since I've last posted I've failed to reach my summer reading goal by two books, written no sort of poetry, or prose, and have thought nothing of the program that I want to start within the next five years. This post isn't a pity post, it's more of a confessional. I've done everything that this blog was supposed to help me not to do. I've become a complacent and ordinary human being. That may be okay with some, but my closest friends and family will not allow that of me and I won't allow that of them. That's just the culture that we have built and maintained since as far back as I can remember. For that, I'm sorry and won't allow it to happen again.
I got the idea for this post while group chatting with a couple of my brothers. One of them challenged us by sending us a picture of him working on his goals. This afternoon he sent us another one that said, "grinding while you sleep." It was 12pm and I wasn't asleep, but I did feel the need to accept his challenge and match it, if not, raise the bar. This is something that we used to do all the time and have gotten away from, but that has to change.
A lot of people may think that I've reached my goals and they aren't wrong for thinking that. I've recently received my diploma and have been teaching (something I've always set out on doing) since September. Yes, that's great *pats self on the back*, but it's also become a problem for me. I've allowed my job to become an excuse instead of using it as motivation to work harder for other goals. Stress and tiredness are real, but they aren't excuses. My teaching career has gotten off to a great start and I wouldn't want to be doing anything else, as far as work goes, at this point in my life, but I'm not done. Teaching won't write my book for me and an early literacy program won't just spring from it either. It can be a big help, but it won't mean anything if I'm constantly in a mundane, I'm tired, woe is me sort of mood everyday when I get home from work.
So, this post is to tell you all that I'm back and ready to grind. I'm willing to lose sleep over getting what I want and what I know I'm on this earth to do. I am giving you all permission to call me out, and hold me accountable, if I don't post at least twice a month from here on out. I will also be starting my book very soon, so if I respond with a lame excuse, like being tired from teaching, that has nothing to do with writing/planning for my book, or literacy program, than tell me I'm lame or something insulting to light a fire under my butt again. This past week I've been working on a CNF (creative nonfiction) piece that I would like to share with you all within the next few days. It's transparent and involves things from my life and the life of people that I love that may be tough to read for some, but I had to do it for me. It's probably going to be the longest piece that I share on here for a while, with me starting my book soon, but the posts won't be spaced out months apart like this one and my last.
With that said, everyone keep grinding and remember that one goal being reached doesn't mean all goals are reached. My mom is in her fifties and is getting ready to start writing a book and thinking about going to school, so don't tell me that you can't make things happen! -- that one was for me to be honest. For those that want to keep me accountable, feel free to comment on my posts or email me - see.harris31@gmail.com

-See Harris

I Believe In You

We judge cultures, ethnicities, upbringings, etc.  We’re born into our circumstances; we don’t choose them.  Later, some choose the wrong path, but we don’t encourage them.  Why not?  We’re all humans and deserve the opportunity to be loved, trusted, great; especially when we are “undeserving.”  I’ve been written off before.  At times I just needed someone to believe in me.  It would’ve changed my life.  This is why I believe in people.
            I’m from a black, single parent home, raised in a government housing project until we received a housing voucher.  Mom built an amazing façade.  My sister and I didn’t notice our deprivations until we got scholarships for private school.  Us: black, impoverished, hand-me-downs, silver Volvo that had to be jumpstarted.  Then we were carless until the Stacks gave us the gold Saturn (God bless them).  The list continues.  Them: majority white, shiny Beemers, children of lawyers, doctors, etc.  It was/is the epitome of k-8 education, but there, I was a statistic.  They said I had learning disabilities and issues that they, apparently, didn’t want to deal with.  A place that, later, became a safe haven for me decided that I wasn’t worth it.  I was different, but at ten I didn’t know how to express that.  I needed someone to believe in me.
Expelled in the fifth grade, parents split, poor black kid in a rich, white county.  I felt hopeless.  At 16, I attended the church I was raised in.  I should’ve found hope there, right?  I got involved in ministry, changing the lives of others and myself.  Rebuilt friendships, made new ones, found mentors, became a mentor.  I faced obstacles and didn’t deal with them properly, like most young adults.  Instead of refuge, I encountered judgment and condemnation.  I grew there, but it’s oxymoronic that I conquered depression, anger and addiction after I left.  I believed in and trusted you all, why couldn’t you do the same?
Now, people express their belief in me.  Some have been around for my entire life, but were too busy to carry me along.  But that’s not what I needed.  I needed someone like my grandfather, but closer than a ten-hour drive.  I needed my mom to be transparent and prove that scars aren’t handicaps.  I needed a school head that didn’t make me feel crazier than the kid who ran away from school every week.  I needed mentors to not just fight spiritually, but physically, even when I made it impossible.  Because of my experiences, it’s important for me to spread worth.  “I believe in you” may never be spoken, but the message will be conveyed.  Little black children, I believe in you.  Those who are told they aren’t smart because they don’t test well, I believe in you.  You are smart.  Inner city children, I believe in you.  Homeless man, I believe in you.  Convicted felon, I believe in you.  The person who has never been told that they can, and will, be great; I believe in you. 

Good Mourning

In life, experiencing heart break, pain, loss, etc. is inevitable. Yesterday marked three years and five months since my grandfather passed away. My grandfather was the most influential man in my life and losing him was a big struggle for me and the rest of my family. Nobody can live forever and not all things are meant to last forever, but when we fall in love with something, or someone, so deeply we tend to forget that. Especially when that person, or thing, is such a huge part of your life and has made you who you are. I remember sitting in a hotel room, the night before my grandfather's funeral, with my sister and cousins and all of us expressing how shocked we were that our grandfather was no longer living. The youngest person in the room was a sophomore in high school, so we were all well aware that people die, but we honestly believed that our grandfather would/could live forever. My mom, a middle aged and educated woman, told me that the idea of her father being immortal wasn't just something that was believed by the younger generations in the family, but she and her siblings felt the same way. 

Well, it is possible for people, things and situations to be taken away from us, but continue to live in our lives. The grieving process is the most important step to, not only allow ourselves to heal, but to allow that particular thing to continue living. Many people are told that grieving and mourning is a weakness, especially in the male community, but it is actually a strength. For a while I thought that I had come to terms with my grandfather's death, but on the first and second anniversaries of his death I cried so much that it made me physically weak throughout the day. From January 8, 2012 - January 8, 2014 I only cried four times in general. Those two times, the day my grandfather died and the day of his funeral. That may be a lot for some people, but for me it was a sign that I hadn't truly allowed myself to open up, emotionally, for those two years. Crying, or feeling the need to cry, is a big part of my emotional state of being. I'm not sure why, but when I'm overly happy, sad, mad, or whatever other emotion I may feel, my eyes tend to water up. It's always been like that and for me not to do that meant that something was wrong. 

I realized that I wasn't allowing myself to truly deal with the fact that I would never see my grandfather, face to face, in this life again. I realized that I hadn't mourned over his death like I thought I had. I learned that mourning him would not be an easy, one time process and that allowing myself to grieve in the way I needed to grieve was not a one day a year process. It could be a one day a year process if I wanted it to be, but that would only extend the amount of years that I would need to complete it. Last year I realized that I needed to think about my grandfather's life, his death, how I felt when he was alive and how I felt after he died, almost everyday. I also realized that when I do that emotions will start to rise and I needed to allow them to. This was the only way that I was going to fully heal and allow my grandfather's death to become that same influence that his life was. It would be the only way that my grandfather would be able to become alive and active in my life again instead of a tombstone engraved in my mind and heart like a tattoo.

Grieving is different for everyone and can be handled in different ways. Crying, screaming, cursing, etc. are only a few examples of how people heal and allow situations to be freed from their hearts. Some grieving processes take a long time and some may only take a day, but you will only know how long the process is going to take once you allow yourself to start it. There are also devices to help us grieve. If you're an emotional eater and alcohol drinker, or things of that sort, I would recommend staying away from those things during your process because it can only add to your list of things to heal from. Maybe having an alcohol free year would be a better option, or going on a diet. You will also notice that you tend to stop doing things you love when you're internally bruised. Force yourself to start doing those things again while you're grieving. Working out, taking hikes, making music, listening to music, learning, writing, reading, traveling and the list goes on. It may sound weird, but I found that it was better for me to do the activities that I loved by myself. We're always told to get out and do things with others when we're going through things, but if you do things by yourself it allows you to think about the situation that you're currently grieving over while your doing the activities that you love. What does this do? This allows you to start associating the situation with positive aspects of your life again. The same way you did when that person was alive, when you were in that relationship, when you had that job, when you were a top athlete before that injury, etc. It also allows you to find ways to make the situation work in your favor. Then you will see that the person, relationship, or whatever it may be, didn't die, but it transitioned from a physical state to an emotional, spiritual or mental state in order to inspire you in different ways. I worked out, listened to and made music, read and wrote a lot when I finally decided to start my grieving process. 

Here's the first poem I wrote at the beginning of my journey:

Good Mourning

Almost two years and it feels like yesterday. 
Mom always tells me that you're proud of me, but
I highly doubt that. 
They always tell people that die to "Rest In Peace,"
but what about the ones they leave behind?
We sit. 
We cry. 
We hurt. 
We curse God. 
What about us?!
I can hardly rest and I don't have much peace.
You always told me to take care of my family. 

To look out for them. 
But now who's gonna look out for me?
You know?
Make sure I'm okay?
Send me twenty dollars for good grades?
Im grown. I work. 
I didn't need the money, but that's just what you did.
Well, I'm not okay.
My grades have slipped
and I don't feel like myself. 
I haven't shed a tear in over a year–
besides the ones that dropped a couple lines back.
I pray... kind of. 
I barely ever write anymore. 

I wrote that poem for your 50th wedding anniversary. 
Mom-mom cried, you had the biggest smile on your face. 
It was then that I thought maybe I had some sort of gift.

Your approval was all I looked for in almost everything I did. 

You wouldn't approve of this.
I've let you down.
I've let those down that look up to me.
It's like every lesson and word died with you.
Now, I refuse to let that be true.
You're still here as long as I'm still here. 
Im growing.
I'm loving.
I'm learning.
I'm writing.
I'm praying... actually praying.
The tears I held back, held me back.
Legacies die if we don't pick them up.
Not only am in picking yours up, but I'm starting my own.
Head high, chest out...
Just like you taught me.
God first, watch everything fall into place...
Just like you taught me.
Love how I want to be loved...
Just how you taught me.
Almost two whole years.
I can't start this year how I started the last.
Life is tough.
The devil tore me down with what God used to lift me up.
You...
I miss– you.
I thank– you. 
I love– you. 
Im letting go of– you,
for me.
Now you can be proud of me.
Plus, I know you'll always be there.
You know?
To make sure I'm ok.
Walking right next to God...
Perfectly pressed slacks, a crisp button down shirt.
Precisely trimmed beard and a Kangol hat.
I can rest and have peace
because I finally had a good mourning.

I hope this post reaches whoever it needed to reach. Remember, you may cry during the night, but joy comes in the mo[u]rning.

Common Core Creating Common People

This post will consist of two things. First, I will present an excerpt from a paper that I wrote a couple of years ago and then I will share my thoughts about and experiences with the common core. As an educator and a student, education has become a huge and important part of my life. I hope that this provokes thoughts and ideas in parents, students and educators alike as we remember how important learning is.

Paper excerpt:
          Common core is the most recent implementation of the United States education system.  It is meant to bring different curricula, from different school systems across the United States, into alignment with one another by following the principles of standards-based education reform. The common core standards are built to help students prepare for a career, as well as higher education.  As good as this may seem, these standards are the cause of some of the biggest debates when it comes to the education system. While many systems are happily adopting the new curricula, there are parents and teachers alike who do not think that it is the best idea for the children. The common core standards are quickly becoming widespread across the nation, but they are  not really preparing students for their future, or allowing for the diversity of learning that is needed to thrive in ones’ life.  Children are taught in such a way that their brains, and thought process, become molded to think similarly instead of having their own beliefs and views.  Common core standards teach children how to get to the next level without really learning the same way as they would have in the old systems and are meant to raise graduation and test percentages.
          The common core standards are not really helping the children of the United States, but having them conform to a standard mode of learning through technology and other forms of government-lead tools.  Learning is something that individuals differ upon.  We all know that there are different types of learners.  There are auditory learners, visual learners and kinesthetic learners.  The common core is essentially taking away the diversity of learning and telling each student that they must learn in the same way as their peers.  This is a huge problem because there are some students who cannot just sit, listen and understand instantaneously.  There are also those students who need to sit and listen, but are not given the opportunity to do so.  Many students are being deprived of learning how they want and what they want. Instead they are being taught to conform to a certain learning style and that only certain information is right.
          The common core system is set up to make the country, and its education system, look good, and not really help the children in their future.  One of the biggest aims of the common core system is to implement a secular and materialist education (Newman).  The common core is a system where each student will graduate with the same views as the next student.  It takes away a lot of the power that parents have when it comes to molding their children and implementing certain beliefs.  For example, in the health section of common core, students are taught certain health and sexuality skills and must master them before they can continue.  It teaches children different sexual standards and why they are all ok.  Children are also taught that gender is not biological, but is decided by a person and by the government.  The government’s view on gender is the only view on gender (Newman).  Children are being molded to the point that the future of the American society will look exactly how the government wants it to look.  It is absolutely imparative to teach diversity and acceptance, but there is something wrong with teaching a child how to think and learn for the rest of their lives, especially when the parents are not involved.
          Common core is all about knowing the system and conforming your ways to match others. Growing up I have heard that if you simply know the system, you can get by.  I heard this, but was never taught how to do it because the adults around me wanted me to learn things for myself and gain true knowledge and experience.  It seems that the common core system is not only telling children that they can get by if they know the system, it is giving them the system.  In high school, my friends and I would always try to figure out our teachers because if we figured out our teachers it would be easier to pass their classes.  Figure out how their tests are set up and if there is a certain way to pass without studying we would do that.  Common core does not encourage students to study and learn in their own fashion.  Students are no longer going home to study math, English or science, they are going home to study the system because they know that if they learn the system they can get by.  Students are not learning with this new system, students are being molded and built into regular common knowledge robots that will simply fall into place where they are “meant to be”.  If the government can control, and mold, the young minds of the future, then they will, no doubt, control everything that we love about this “free world.”

Thoughts and Experiences:
For the past two years I have worked in a Baltimore City Public School and it was one of the toughest experiences that I have had, so far, as an educator. In my first year at the school I was in a fifth grade math classroom. As an English major, math is not my strong suit, but I figured that I would be able to help ten and eleven year olds with elementary mathematics. Well, I was wrong. On the first day, the teacher that I was working with advised me that I would have to learn basic math all over again in order to be affective in the classroom. She also told me to try not to get frustrated because she sure was, during the summer, as she was prepairing to introduce the new curriculum to the students. Throughout the year I witnessed smart students struggle as they tried to adapt to a system that did not match their learning styles. Some students caught on quickly, but I adamantly worked with students that did not catch on as we attempted to learn the material together. This past year, I was privilaged to work with some of the smartest, and cutest, five and six year olds in America. Everything seemed to function in the way a kindrrgarten class should. The classroom was colorful and vibrant which invited the students to learn in exciting ways. The teacher went over basic learning skills; numbers, letters, how to write their names and words, etc. I enjoyed seeing the children grow as students and as people. I loved everything about it until we got to late September/early October and the teacher asked me to assist her in testing the students. I gave her a puzzled look and said, "test the students?" I was not tested in kindergarten. With a disappointed look on her face, she expressed her frustration and told me that they had to test the students to track their progress as well as the teacher's performance. As we all know, there are kindergartners that are full of character and love to share their knowledge, such as my younger brother, and then there are those who freeze under pressure, some seem to forget their own name and there are even those that forget how to speak all together. Not only are a lot of these young children shy, but some develop test anxiety at a young age like I did. As a matter of fact, I still struggle with tests because my mind tends to go completely blank under pressure, especially in a school setting. Because of these key factors, a few children may have to be held back at the end of this school year even if they are as smart as, or even smarter than, the children that will advance to the first grade.
Earlier this week I had a working interview at the Free School of Albany, New York. When one walks into the Free School it may seem slightly chaotic. At certain points in the day there are students walking around the building doing, what looks like, whatever they want to do. What is actually taking place, as students, from pre-k to eigth grade, are moving from room to room, is a freedom to learn what they want and how they want. Still sounds chaotic right? Well, during these times, the students are given options by the teachers and the students are well aware that they are not allowed to be stagnant. Whether the students are playing with other students and working on their social skills, doing art projects and working on their creative skills, or working on their academic skills, they are learning non stop and becoming well rounded citizens while also proving that they are some of the smartest young students that one will ever encounter. I fell in love with this school and hope to get an offer for many reasons. But one of the main reasons was because it reminded me of my few years at Green Acres School in Rockville, Maryland. At Green Acres I was able to enjoy my academic environment because I was given the freedom to learn how I was meant to learn, become a well rounded and open minded person, and take advantage of the array of great teachers and resources that the school made available.
I would advise parents to enroll their students into such schools. Some can be quite pricey, but scholarships are not just available for college students (that is how my sister and I were able to attend Green Acres) and there are schools, such as the Free School, that have income based tuition. If you want to keep your children in schools that run on the core curriculum, know that they are, sadly, being made into drones that are taught to spit out what they "learned" at the drop of a hat. It is important that you teach your students, that are in core curriculum schools, how to be open minded, well rounded, socially aware human beings because they are not always given that in those schools. To educators that teach in such schools, remember that not all students learn the same and that just because little Zachary can give you the answers that the system calls for, it does not mean that he is truly learning. Find new and fun ways to teach the students that will help them to keep their minds off of things such as assessments and other situations that may make them feel uncomfortable as a student. I sure wish that I had more teachers like that when I attended public school and even now, as a college student.