Walking into my assigned elementary school for the first time, I was very excited to be able to participate in the same school system that I graduated from some time ago (don’t ask a lady her age!). After attending Providence Public schools for the majority of my elementary and secondary education, I attended a rather reputable college in Western Massachusetts. When I arrived there, I was astounded that I was just as well-read and educated in Providence as some of the other students who attended prestigious prep schools in New York or Atlanta. For years, I took my education for granted- I thought all public schools were the same- until I met people from other states who described the conditions of their schools. So to be able to see this education and this process from the other side for the first time was intriguing.
When I approached the door, I was not surprised that there was a bell to be let in, but relieved that the students and faculty were able to feel safe while they were there. The school looked pretty new- the walls were freshly painted, there was a lot of light spilling into the hallways, and the floors were definitely cleaner than the floors in my apartment. This faculty and staff clearly take a lot of pride in their building and their learning community. A group of students gathered into the school office and then we were directed upstairs to an office.
My first day was spent with the director of the literacy program and several other students as she gave us an overview of the program and what exactly we would be doing. We sat around a round table in the center of the office that housed a library of books, each neatly organized on the shelves of a sea of bookcases. The faculty was in the process of observing the students to place them into categories based on their current reading level. From these categories, groups will be formed and we will lead them in a series of “games”. The overall goal of the program will be to successfully get the children to their desired reading levels.
I was pleasantly surprised to see how much organization and thought goes into this program. This program is set up for the genuine success of the children being able to recognize letters and sounds to ensure that they are able to read to the best of their ability. These teachers seem to believe deeply in the change model of Kahne and Westheimer - engaging in proactive ways to ensure the academic success for these children. Reading is probably the single most important skill for a student to have and the program is able to guarantee that these students have a strong foundation. With a strong foundation, the students will be able to excel in any area of study they choose. I am thrilled to be a part of a system that challenges the status quo.
