Crisis is good?!

On page 187, Canada is reflecting on on the impending crisis the Promise Academy is experiencing as a result of the low test scores and lackluster results.  He notes, "Would I change my mind now, knowing how hard it's ben to get the school where I want it?... No.  I wouldn't... Crisis is good.  As worried as everybody is about the reputation of the organization and the school and all of that. I think it's well worth it to be in the heart of this battle and to struggle with it.  It's been a long time since we as an agency have really had to put ourselves on the line."  With that, I wonder how long has it been since we (as individuals and as an educational institution) have put ourselves on the proverbial line? Day in and day out we put so much of ourselves into what we do but are we really giving it all we have? If not, then why not? What is keeping us from going all in? Is it a fear of being vulnerable or an act of selfishness? Again, the text always seems to make me question not just my teaching philosophy, but my sense of social justice and action.  The onus is on all of us to be and do something to e(a)ffect change in our students' lives their community. If that means we adopt Canada's "ideals about the inherent potential of each child" then so be it.  Otherwise we would have truly failed them and all of the love, passion, and hard work we have put into Wheatley would all be for naught.  

Just thinking

In reading the first three chapters of Whatever it takes, I am reminded of one of  Dr. Cornell West's quotes: "You can't lead the people, if you don't love the people.  You can't save the people, if you won't serve the people." To that end, how much are we really serving the children in our school and the people of the Trinidad community.  Is it enough to come in and teach our hearts out, hold goal-setting conferences in an effort to engage families, or stay late to put in extra time to plan lessons? I can unequivocally and genuinely say that I love all my children (although some days they make it extremely rough for me to do so), but is that enough? Where am I leading my students? What are their life chances if we (the Wheatley community) continue operating under the staus quo? I both admire and envy Mr. Canada's fortitude.  ON one hand it is an inspiration, a call to action.  On the other, it makes it seems like what I/we do an exercise in futility.  So, I was just thinking. Thinking about what it would take to replicate the Harlem Children Zone in DC, in Trinidad, at Wheatley.  Any thoughts?