I really was tickled with a former student's Facebook post the other day. Robert Johnson was one of my favorite kids at Elverado High School. He was sharp, had a great personality and had solid leadership potential. He has a sense of duty to his community and knows he has a responsibility to it. He is one of those kids that test scores don't measure. His post made me reflect not only on my own experiences but the experiences of so many other students that have come through my doors. There are those kids that are not "supposed" to be successful in the eyes of others.
My experience over the years is that those kids, you know the ones that have to climb the hardest and farthest to the middle class are the ones that have the greatest impact on others. Don't get me wrong, good souls come from all walks of life but there is something special about the kid that is not "supposed" to make it but they do. These kids turn out to be compassionate, progressive and responsible to others. They appreciate the opportunities that come their way and they demand nothing from others and take pride in earning their way.
I was a first generation college student. I wasn't "supposed" to go to college either. I remember thinking about how much it was an honor to step on the SIUC campus each day. Other students that were expected to go to college just saw it as a necessary step to move on. I saw it as a gateway to end a poverty stricken life. People I went to college with were there to get their papers so they could find a job. I was there to learn how to teach. It's funny the level of engagement changes depending on where you come from. I never took college lightly because I wanted it to take me places. My educational philosophy has always been that we should be giving these kids a shot.
This past year I had the opportunity to reach out and capture those kids that may not think they have a shot. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission contacted us about a new program called Gear-Up. The basic goal of the program is turn students on to the possibilities of college and careers. They support the student through the process of finding their strengths and matching them with their potential futures. They offer this program in higher poverty rural districts. These targeted districts have lots of Roberts in them and the prospect of transforming the not "supposed" to kid is pretty exciting. I am already talking to some of my students about their career or college choices. So many of them are those that feel those doors have been closed to them.
I hope Robert continues to lead and inspire others. We need success stories like his told in our schools to encourage kids to look past their current situation and see what their potential is. Gear Up will be a kick start in the school building but its the stories told and the people connecting with them outside the building that will make a difference. Keep telling your story Robert.
