All our schools, all our children, all our world.

After teaching in a Title 1 school this past semester, I can vouch for just how powerful economics are in education outcomes. I have seen how disadvantaged kids are being excessively punished by government policy.

Reports from a Stanford University show that "with a rising income achievement gap, a family's economic situation is a bigger determinative force in a child's academic performance than any other major demographic factor." 

Schools in destitute areas therefore require more resources than wealthy schools, but many high poverty schools receive less than their fair share of state and local funding, leaving less funding to recruit teachers, upgrade classrooms, reduce class sizes, and overall sustain good educational practices. (Obvious right?)

So what is the taxing problem facing American schools today? Put it all together and what do you get?

As David Sirota so poetically puts, "It's poverty and punitive funding formulas, duh."

It's too easy to just point fingers at teachers and/ or schools. The hard thing is to take a deep hard look at your own society, one that you are privileged by and examine the inequalities it creates. Doing this asks us to change resource-hoarding attitudes and encourage us to care about all our schools, all our children, all our world. 

The Final Presentation

I walk with nervous anticipation over to the building where I have spent so many weeks, days, and hours learning, training, and studying the art of pedagogy.

The air is a thick smog (thank you Salt Lake City inversion!) with hints of tiny snowflakes beginning to fall. As I continue to walk, the snow begins to fully show it's presence and thick white flurries begin to kiss my cheek as I get closer to Malouf.

I know this is it. The end, yet also the beginning. 

I've been preparing for this presentation for years, collecting data, saving documents and pictures, organizing papers and projects, all which can defend my knowledge as an educator. 

When I enter the conference room, all my nerves are set aside and a warm boost of confidence fills my core.

                                       I'm ready for this.

After listening to 3 other presentations from my peers, it's finally my turn. I stand in front of three beautiful, wise, and gifted professors and begin to share my journey with them. The minutes pass by and I don't even notice... I could talk about this all day.

And yet suddenly, I'm done. I'M DONE! Am I really done?? YES!.... I am done.

A mixture of emotions stir inside me as I head back home. Happiness? Definitely. Relief? Absolutely. But there is also an unsettling feeling, a little sadness that this chapter of my life has come to a close. 

Words cannot express how thankful I am for my teachers in the Westminster Education program. 

Something has ended, yet an incredible adventure awaits me. 

"I remembered your voice"

Today I visited Escalante. It was my first time being back since the last day of my student teaching experience. 


After being gone only a week, it felt like a lifetime. Walking into the room the students yell "Ms. H!!!!!!" and immediately form a giant pile of hugs around my torso. 


It was so good to be back. I visited for awhile, helping them with their center work, continuing to be amazed by how much they have grown since the beginning.


Before I leave little *Joseph approaches me. 


"Ms. H...I remembered your voice. When I was in the library reading a book, I remembered your voice. I could hear it in my head."


Joseph's comment was so endearing. It made me realize what a powerful profession teaching is. Everyday, I am the voice my students hear, and when I am gone, I hope they will continue to hear it; encouraging them to grow and change the world for the better. 

Thank you to my 1st Graders

Thank you:

For being brave

For making me laugh

For inspiring me

For showing me how to marvel at the earth

For allowing me to explore my teaching skills

For challenging me to be better

For driving me crazy  :)

For giving me something to live for

For opening up my eyes again to the beauty of innocence

For showering me with gifts and praise

For being fearlessy YOU

For growing and making a better world.

I will never forget you.

For Good

I've heard it said

That people come into our lives for a reason

Bringing something we must learn

And we are led

To those who help us most to grow

If we let them

And we help them in return...

I know I'm who I am today

Because I knew you

I have been changed for good.