Reach one…Teach one!

On my way to work I was moved by what I heard on the radio. Comedian DL Hughley, who has probably made a lot of people shed a tear or two through his jokes, was crying himself…uncontrollably. And for what? Because his 5th grade teacher a long time ago explained to him that one day, he will become something when no one else believed in him. Even his own mother.

Teachers are often times underappreciated for the work that they do, especially in the urban and underrepresented areas. Many are discouraged by the lack of resources and support in these environments and eventually choose not to return after a year or two. As reported by the Journal of Blacks in Higher Education, the high turnover rate of teachers leaving can result in students being taught by educators with very little experience.

My first thought to the above information is the idea of support and sustainability, which is critical to the education system. Support meaning there shouldn’t be a mass difference in the amount of resources from one school to another across any given county, city, or state as it relates to public education. Regardless if you are in the suburbs or the inner city, each child deserves an equal opportunity at receiving the best education possible.

Once those teachers who are babies to the profession (a few years out of college) see a support system in place, they are more likely to perform better and stay around longer.

Both educators and non-educators should take the time to reach out to young people. Like in the case of DL Hughley, all it takes is a few words of encouragement to make a difference.