No Child Left Behind

As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect. 

     The truth is that as many of my readers will know that the journey of learning for me, has been a time of great reflection, learning, growth, and development. It has also been one that has encouraged, and also discouraged. One that has been full of ups, and downs, a roller-coaster we could say. But the fact that I'm still here, and still continue to pursue the goals of completion. Through this journey there are moments where I had to give up my own interests, to simply fight for myself to stay in the field of education. There are systemic and invisible barriers, and I have felt these with excruciating pain. Nevertheless, I don't want to remain bitter, even though it is very difficult to reclaim, and re-build trust. However, with small baby steps, I hope that there will be a point in my life, to look back, smile and be grateful. This is the truth about goals, or anything that is desired to be achieved. Nothing comes easy, be it an education, business, or building good flourishing relationships. 
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     It is unfortunate that the barriers exist, for people of minority, such as gender, accessibility, or those through race. As mentioned through my previous thoughts the fact that we have to discuss these barriers in the 21st century actually shows that there is work, and work needs to be done to continually build and maintain equality. It's not that no one knows that these barriers exist, the issue now is more of ignorance. Because you can simply see those inequalities, and decide not to do, or say anything. In a sense it is these acts, or inaction are maintaining the status quo.

    We can take this conversation to that of the classroom level. How a teacher treats students of color, or minority students will have a great impact on learning, understanding, and retention. Who a teacher / educator favourites or likes the most will have an impact upon who succeeds. These truth exist, even though as we know that the field or teacher preparation programs teach equity in the classroom, and of course favouritism or grooming, as it is called in the field is absolutely not allowed. 
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     So when students feel that they have been treated unfairly or unequally, it is important for them to speak up and make sure that they are getting equal attention. Or if the student's abilities are being challenged, there should be room for flexibility. I mean, it's not going to kill the teacher if a student hands in a piece of work that is 1 or 2 days late. The fact that the student hands the work in will have a great effect on final marks. So how passionate is the teacher / educator to see all children succeed in his / her classroom? 

     This is an important and complicated question, because at the end of the day, the teacher or educators are much more aware of the barriers that exist in the working world, in that of higher education, and societies in general. Whatever happens in the years of schooling has the potential to have a lasting impression, and impact upon the students. While the teacher should strive to maintain equality and achievement, which also entails: flexibility, the parents or care givers should also once in a while check-in to make sure that their child, or the child under their care is getting equal access, help or support in the areas of need. You may ask or say that it is the students responsibility? I agree, yes it is. But we also have to remember that students, especially those who have just entered the high school level are learning a new culture, a new routine, let alone dealing with the teenage hormones that are all over the place.
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     The dynamics are complex. Which is why it is so vital for the educators to support students. Instead of engaging in politics, wanting some students to succeed more than others, why not implement and develop the strategies, such as the success for all students, and the No Child Left Behind that are developed students in Ontario, as well as the Houston Independent School Board (HISD)?

Dedication: The words of this Human being are dedicated to all human beings. My thoughts to share with love & kindness! :) 

Notes: These thoughts were originally hand - written on November 17th 2017.
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