Remember a time when you worked really hard? Did you go all out, do everything that you could do? Did you come early, stay late, accomplish something amazing, and then…. no one noticed? Unfortunately, I think this happens every day in a Title 1 school somewhere. Teachers and principals at schools impacted by poverty arguably work ten times harder to overcome obstacles and achieve results for their students compared to many other schools with different socioeconomic statistics. And unfortunately, their work and achievements can disappear into the ‘Twilight Zone’ of No Child Left Behind, Steps of Improvement, compliance reporting, poverty, and high mobility. I myself have had my proud moments of “Wow, did anyone else see that?!” And then I realize that if anyone did see, they didn’t say anything. Let me take this moment to acknowledge that it is an awful feeling when this happens. You feel like you are completely on your own and that you don’t have any support from anyone. But somehow, perhaps through pure stubbornness, you brush yourself off and keep going. You persevere. Do you know who does know how you feel? Do you know who has also felt like no one is on their side, but brushes themselves off and perseveres despite the odds? Many of the students in our Title 1 schools. What if each one of us took the time to nominate one of the people who dedicate themselves to working in the most challenging schools and positions, or to acknowledge them in a special way? How would this extra encouragement spill over onto the students in these schools? Please visit http://www.k12.wa.us/EducationAwards/default.aspx to learn about Education Awards and also specific awards for Title 1 schools.
