05/03/2024
Story Time-
The first four pictures are me visiting my children’s school as a mystery reader. The students are given clues by the teacher and the students have to guess who’s family member is coming to read to them. This was just before winter break. It’s important to engage within the spaces that your children spend over 80% of their day, Monday-Friday.
My intentions were never to come “read” to my children and their classmates. Teaching in public schools for over a decade, you can't unsee and unhear some things, so my lens is at variance. My intentions were to be aware of:
How I’m let into the school, how I’m greeted at the front desk, how they pronounce my children’s name, any inclinge if they know my children or have a relationship with my children, I am looking at how the teacher greets me, how the teacher introduces me, how the room is set up, where my child’s assigned seat is, what the classroom management looks like, how are students interacting with each other, how the teacher is responding to certain children, the questions and comments students make to each other and the stories I am reading to them etc.
I love what I do AND I love my children more. Parents, specifically parents with minoritized and marginalized youth. The school system can swallow your children alive if you are not active throughout their educational journey. I am not telling you to be a helicopter parent. That’s just as detrimental. I’m saying let the schools know that you exist. Let the schools know that your children are supported and loved at home. Let the schools know that they will have someone to answer to, if your child is messed with in any capacity. Let the schools know that you are your child's advocate when they can not advocate for themselves. Let the school know that your children are YOURS and not a simple dollar sign, statistic, number in the politics of schooling.
The fifth picture is of my son and one of his classmates. They were both called monkey’s by another student during recess, about two weeks ago. My son responded loud enough for an adult to hear, “That’s racist!” I’ve had multiple interactions and conversations with this adult at my child's school. Both of these young men have both parents in their lives. One set of parents were notified. Another set of parents were not. Parents!!! You have to let the schools know and show the schools that you will be actively involved in their education. Do not solely trust a school system to raise your children, protect your children, and quite frankly teach your children. We have to do better. Teachers, Administrators, and Parents.
