I desperately believe that every child deserves to have the chance to attend a high quality, free, public neighborhood school. And I believe I’m called to help that be a reality for more children than currently enjoy that right. Having access to such an education is a right, not a privilege. Whether families send their children to those schools is their choice, but the schools need to be available. To everyone. Everywhere. Not just in the swanky suburbs.
My parents went out of their way to live in places that afforded me just the education I tout. I am grateful. I am so grateful that I want everyone to have the same education available to them.
Why can’t every neighborhood have a great school? Why can’t every school be accessible in myriad ways? Why can’t kids walk or bike to school every day? Why can’t kids of all kinds of socio-economic statuses expect to receive a phenomenal education without worrying about how much it costs? Why can’t kids have all the recess their little bodies need so their big minds can work better? Why can’t art and music and social studies be part of every curriculum?
Why don’t we demand more?
As much as I’ve ranted, my goal isn’t to complain, because, to be perfectly honest, I’ve not done my best to be part of the solution.
So I’ve got to stop being part of the problem. This mini manifesto was step one. Share your step one in the chat.