A Valentine to Title I Teachers
By Deborah DeSilets
My father believed in education; and above that he trusted me to the Nuns to assess my conduct—that being the most important part of my report card. My father, an elementary school coach, knew that for teachers to teach, students had to obey the rules. Dad would let me know quickly how displeased he was if a conduct report was low. Mom knew that teachers were important and encouraged me to give my teachers thanks. For sure my teachers knew my parents were on their side. With the teachers, my parents and a good attitude toward school work I learned and my character in life was formed. Today I still thank my teachers for that partnership with me and my parents, and the charity of the Blessed Sacrament, Trinity Catholic, in Tallahassee in allowing a discounted school tuition for a family of seven. So, when I was asked recently to attend a meeting for The Character Center in Tallahassee, it resonated with me.
The Character Center and the Character Kids programs were started in Tallahassee, Florida by Zack Richardson, who is joined by his wife Selena in all efforts. It was visionary that Zack Richardson’s passion for helping kids turned him to a life of service. It was his vision to create a center with educational mascots that could rival Disney—make learning fun! Zack even developed “character shows” for his five “mascots— Big Headed Beaver, Fearless Fox, Talkative Turtle, Rude Rabbit and Pew Wee Pig!” The character-building skits told stories akin to a modern Aesop’s Fables by exacting life lessons. Those lessons and Zack’s vision has expanded over the past 15 years to keep up with the growing needs. The mascots have given way to sharper pencils as the needs for meeting ACT and SAT test scores are crushing and overwhelming.
Today “The Character Center” has an office on Capital Circle, and they are active in Leon County Schools working cooperatively with “21st Century, a federally funded after school program. Presently at Bond, Oak Ridge, Apalachee, Fairview and Rickards; “The Character Center” serves 90 at risk children in K-5th grade, and “Character Kids” serves 100-125 at risk students in 6th-12th grade. The success of this work now is being on site as The Character Center can tap into school teachers; ask them questions about how the class work is structured; and transportation is no longer an issue for parents. Intensive foundational learning can be accomplished from 3:30-5:00PM each day. This added dedication and commitment to one-on-one tutoring is invaluable in filling the gap, and also provides the “consistency” that equates to increased student academic gains. However, the Character Mascots are always in the background promoting character as the primary foundation for success. Filling the gap takes time and dedication. For 15 years, Zack and Selena are making a difference in the lives of deserving children in public schools and they deserve a Special Valentine’s thanks!
My two years of teaching –and only two— I taught in Miami, Florida at DASH after Hurricane Andrew had just ripped the lives apart of many children. While as an architect I was able to help the migrant camps in Homestead architecturally, and helped the children of the storm in the classrooms come to grips with their fragmented lives. That was exhausting work because vital needs were missing and home were makeshift. Thinking back about migrant children, I recently spoke with Dr. Maria I. Pouncey, PAEC, Administrator for Instructional Services, who oversees 17 school districts’ Title I Part C Migrant Education Program and also the ESOL Title III program in Gadsden County. Maria oversees support for 561 ESOL students in Gadsden and a varied number of migrants as this is seasonal – in year’s past, migrant school children have been as many as 500. Currently the numbers have shrunk due to crop production. Maria’s directive is “to ensure that all children have the same opportunity for education; even if it entails some social work—we have to have a heart. As a result, we collaborate with multiple community programs who have become great partners. Our teachers are the frontline for the students: they hear their needs, see their needs, and help to have a deeper reach. A child that is hungry, cold and emotionally distressed cannot learn. It is a balancing act! We all help our families participate in all educational aspects. Support for children is year-round as we provide summer childcare from birth to age two, and summer school for three and up. Today, some of our team workers are some of the children we educated. It has been a labor of love.” They are encouraging students to participate in extracurricular activities and are helping to change the perception many parents feel of being unwelcomed at the schools due to social, cultural or linguistic barriers. Our educators, who see children from all walks of life, and who work in Title I schools deserve a Valentine as well!
The most formative years in a child’s upbringing—begin in school. Title I students start with less opportunities and resources than peers. As is the case for non-English speakers and/or migrant farm worker students, with reading that is impeded by lack of English, lack of continuity of study, missing too many days of school due to mobility and economic demands that are the norm. There is a lot of change in our 21st Century; and education is vital to this change. Considering all changes, we must understand first that the human aspects will still be the same. Education requires a full compliment of support in the home and community: food, shelter, encouragement and love. This Valentine’s Day let’s give thanks to our Title I teachers for filling the gaps with dedication and joy.
My mother and father gifted this to me. And I am thankful for that. So today Mom, if I had to bring a teacher a Valentine, it would be to the teachers working with our Title I Children: Zack and Selena Richardson and Dr. Maria Pouncey. A big thanks to them for continuing the work that is so vital to good learning and doing it with love.
Anyone needing assistance or referrals may reach out to: Maria Pouncey at [email protected] or Selena Richardson at [email protected]
