
08/12/2025
đ Beyond the Pencil đ
This piece by Joshua T. Dickerson isnât just about a missing pencil â itâs about the invisible battles so many children fight before they ever walk into a classroom.
For some students, getting to school isnât just about waking up, getting dressed, and eating breakfast. Itâs about navigating challenges that most adults would struggle to carry â caring for siblings, managing without electricity, wearing unwashed clothes, or pushing through without the basic tools they need.
When we see a child âunpreparedâ or âacting out,â itâs easy to focus on the behavior instead of the story. But behind that missing pencil might be resilience, responsibility, and a fight to simply show up.
As educators, parents, and community members, we can choose to see beyond the surface.
We can ask, âWhat happened to you?â instead of âWhatâs wrong with you?â
We can remember that sometimes the bravest thing a child does each day⌠is just walking through the door.
Every child deserves to feel seen, safe, and supported â not just in their learning, but in their life.
Letâs be the adults who notice. Letâs be the ones who care.