After various losses within the community and just a tumultuous start to the year, they saw emotions bubbling up and students who had clear and evident needs around coping with grief and reality, and they saw a teaching staff that cared but had no additional time. So, they took it upon themselves to launch “Save OurselveS, or SOS Zebras,” a student-led group for coping with grief and implementing strategies to move forward with their daily needs. 

Yes, there is a period at the end of that title, because it is a statement. It is a fact. Jenny Mackenzie and Levar Burton wrote and produced an amazing film, “The Right to Read,” that addresses this issue. “The Right to Read shares the stories of an NAACP activist, a teacher, and two American families who fight to provide our youngest generation with the most foundational indicator of life-long success: the ability to read.” If you haven’t had an opportunity to view the film, I completely recommend you take an hour out of your day, if you have a screening available in your area or can request a screening for you and your friends, coworkers and family. No one is too young or too old to get involved.

Educators need to feel valued in order to be a positive role model and have a positive impact on the children they serve daily. The question then becomes: once they have the goal setting opportunity and the professional development plan determined, what are the next steps to facilitate growth and development in these categories?

The role of an educator requires them to do a lot more than just uploading information into a student’s database. Educators are therapists, mentors, stand-in parents, recess patrol, nurses’ aides, secretaries, and they are also still people.