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THE UNSUNG HEROES

It has been my long-held belief that America's public school educators deserve much more support, respect, gratitude, and recognition than they currently receive! I feel this is especially true for those very special teachers and mentors who provide services to certain select groups of students "outside the norm." For that reason, I would like to highlight a special day I spent in Indiana.

On March 28, with my hostesses Dr. Terry Weidmer of Ball State University and Vicki Harris of New Castle Vocational Programs, I had the opportunity to visit three exceptional programs for students whose needs cannot be met within the parameters of "regular ed." I began my day at Southside High School in Muncie, where I visited the I CAN Program, which is run by nationally honored special education teacher Nancy Barnett. What I happily witnessed, as the parent of two special education sons, was smiling and confident students who are empowered to achieve regardless of their various physical and learning specialties.

From there, I traveled to the Henry County Youth Center, where I spoke with incarcerated students in a program that emphasizes education as the major ingredient in redirecting troubled lives. As we discussed the students' feelings about the ways in which schools and communities had let them down, and vice versa, I was struck by their thoughtfulness, forthrightness, courtesy, capabilities for self-expression, and their strong desires to be given "another chance."

I concluded my day and evening at the Knightstown Soldiers' and Sailors' Children's Home, where my host, Paul Wilkinson (vocational director), provided a tour of this residential school that provides a staff and faculty of family, friends, and teachers to students whose homes do not offer stability or nurturing support.

In each of these settings, I saw teachers giving freely of themselves and dedicating themselves to missions of providing hope and possibilities to students who would, otherwise, have little or none of either. They welcomed me into their respective "schools" with warm and gracious hospitality, and then openly discussed their programs and their students with a pride and enthusiasm that were both exciting and touching!

Whenever I look back on that day, it is with a mix of emotions. I feel elation for the successes these teachers have already made and will continue to make possible for their students! I feel validation as a member of their profession, but humility as their colleague! And, I feel anger and frustration when their important contributions are not valued or misunderstood by policymakers and others!

In a country that has been so richly blessed, recognizing and supporting teachers whose work greatly contributes to the educational development of all of America's children should be paramount!

Until next time, good luck and good teaching!

Andy B.

Click here to see photos from Andy's trip to Indiana.

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