As a child who grew up in an upper middle class family,
I assumed too many things were rights not privileges. I thought the car my
parents drove, the house I lived in, and the expansive private school I attend
was all-apart of the deal. I do not think that as an elementary school student
it ever crossed my mind that other children went without new binders, cute
pencils and brand new electronics when they entered their classrooms. However,
as I began to grow older, I realized that these things were just the opposite.
They all came at the price of someone else. I had people all around me that
wanted the best for me and were willing to give something else up in order for
me to succeed later in life. This realization has led me to seek interest in an
education career and even deeper into inner city education.
I have found that one of the most influential
programs today is the Teach for America organization. This organization seeks
to end educational iniquity throughout the United States. They choose the best
of the best from colleges all over the nation and train them to become a one of
a kind teacher in low-income communities.
These teachers are truly making a difference in K-12 classrooms. Test
scores have improved, graduation rates are rising, and student’s lives are
being changed for the better. These
dramatic results are all a product of investment. One teacher had made little
sacrifice for a student to gain much in return.
This is the kind of teacher I want to become. I want
to make a change for the better. Every teacher, from teaching the richest of
the rich to the poorest of the poor should strive for this kind of an
education. Ultimately, a child should be given no less of a chance of success
depending on the neighborhood in which they were born. An exceptional teacher who is willing to
sacrifice will slowly help in gaping this very solvable problem.
For more information about Teach For America please visit, www.teachforamerica.com
