I was going to show my kids that no matter what happened with their parents, parole officers and other teachers, I wouldn't give up on them. I let them know it matters to me that you come to class, it matters to me that you try, it matters to me when you succeed.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of dedication and support for students, regardless of their circumstances.
Erin Gruwell's quote reflects the unwavering commitment of an educator to inspire and support students, demonstrating that their efforts and successes hold significant value. It highlights the role of a teacher in providing a stable and encouraging environment where students feel their presence and achievement matter, despite any external challenges they may face.
In practice
In a speech at a school assembly, a teacher could share this quote to motivate students facing difficulties.
I have learned that, although I am a good teacher, I am a much better student, and I was blessed to learn valuable lessons from my students on a daily basis. They taught me the importance of teaching to a student - and not to a test.
IQ tests are routinely used as weapons against Black people in particular and minority groups and poor people generally. The tests are based on white middle-class standards, and when we score low on them, the results are used to justify the prejudice that we are inferior and unintelligent. Since we are taught to believe that the tests are infallible, they have become a self-fulfilling prophecy that cuts off our initiative and brainwashes us.
The biggest thing I noticed growing up when I was doing BMX racing or playing rugby through to secondary school level, was seeing the parents who were so desperate to see their kids do well that they were almost living their lives through their kids and putting huge pressure on them to the point they weren't enjoying it.
The multitude of books is making us ignorant.
What I really mean is that a great book should leave you with many experiences, and slightly exhausted at the end. You live several lives while reading it.
Few things are better in the world than a room full of librarians. I consider them literary heroes. The keepers and defenders of the written word.
I feel that for years of teaching in the country and reading criticism in books, I feel like the things most needed in our culture are the understanding of the meanings of our music. We haven't done that good of job teaching our kids what our music means or how we developed our taste in music that reminds us and teaches us who we are.
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