CHARLENE PAYNE | ONE MINUTE READ
It was an honor to be part of the Superintendent’s Student Shadow Program, an annual day where each Cabinet member visits one District building to be part of a student’s academic experience. Last year, I visited Mrs. Tysarczy’s 6th grade class at Holiday Park Elementary and, this year, I visited Mrs. Nazak’s second grade class at Center Elementary. Both environments were full of kind students eager to learn.
The visit to classrooms was not only an exciting experience for me but I also learned that visits allow students to see diverse people in their classroom. Ivey DeJesus of the Philadelphia-based Patriot News, says, “An inordinate number of students across the state navigate their entire school days - from riding the school bus, to a day of classes and evening sports practice - without seeing a person [authority] of color...” I, an African-American female, participated in Shadow Day and was eager to learn. But perhaps there was an added benefit.
It is a beautiful, life-affirming experience to expose students to the diversity of our world, and in our District. It was during the daily routine of sitting at lunch and laughing and playing freeze tag during recess that they could envision a future where they could become anything they wanted in life. It’s during Black History Month when we explore how African-Americans contributed to the tapestry of America. We learn about Carter G. Woodson, Robert Peary, James Baldwin, Marion Anderson, and Madam CJ Walker. We analyze the decisions that led to the discovery of life-saving medical procedure and the unfortunate demise of Dr. Charles R. Drew. We celebrate the works of Maya Angelou and honor the accomplishments of Mae Jemison and Misty Copeland in their respective fields. We study the work of Research Pennsylvania trailblazers Daniel Williams, Guion Bluford, and Virginia Florence. And the list goes on. It has been said that the most influential of all educational factors is the conversation in a child’s home. Be eager to start or continue the kinds of conversations that expand a child’s imaginations and expose them to possibilities, not just during this month but all year-round.