One thing this article does not mention is the role of parents in feeding their children healthy food. through providing for underprivileged neighborhoods and instilling programs to help children receive better nutrition, we still can't exempt parents from their responsibilities. We have to hold them accountable for the raising of their kids.

Addressing the nutrition issue amongst underprivileged students is so refreshing to hear because it is something that can actually be accomplished. Providing better infrastructure (public transit) to grocery stores, including nutrition classes in school, equalizing the spatial justice for all races-these are things that can be done instead of just 'fix the school system.'

I love how schools focus on the lowest tier of Abraham Maslow's needs. Childern can't learn on empty stomachs or when feeling fear or insecure.

I find it interesting that the policies of the Tardy Sweep, the benefits from it, nor the reasons for the instillation were mentioned in the article

What does having a specific month to focus on various cultures but not white teach students about that culture. That it's not a culture? That 'every month is white history month'? This is damaging and perpetuates dominant white culture in the minds of students.

In a world where we are trying to share our cultures and include more diversity in our education system, it seems counterproductive to ban 'others' from experiencing and learning about a culture that is not their own.

If this is such an inspiring quote from a mentor for black children, why do we so often teach that 'hard work will make you successful' is a harmful sentiment to reiterate to underprivileged students? Citing Jean Anyon and Joel Spring

Education is not meant to be an equalizer. In order for it to make things equal for children they would have to give to the underprivileged and take from privileged which is ethically wrong. Education's purpose is to provide for the needs of the students whatever they may be as best as they can. Unfortunately, after a day at school, some children go home to inadequate living conditions and struggling families and those are areas that the school can't fix.

Too often in articles and studies do researchers talk about how black girls need mentors that look like them but saying that their only difference is 'black skin and kinky hair' is putting them in box and getting them to focus, yet again, on personal appearance as girls are always forced to do.

Do you feel like Disney has done a good job of incorporating other cultures into their stories or just appropriated them?

Removing ourselves from the problem does not fix the problem and as teachers, we never can remove ourselves so it is crucial to get parents involved in our schools enough to help us change them.

I love this simple statement and it's truth. Too soon do our students stop writing because they think that they are not good at it but it is like art, everyone can do it with practice and what you have to say or express is important.

This statement speaks so powerfully to teachers. I recently read a book for another class that talks about hoe the biggest problem in schools is actually just the demoralization of everyone involved in them; students, teachers, and admin. The constant change and requirements to implement new programs and execute test prep just sucks the energy out of teachers and decrease their effectiveness and interest in their job. "So Much Reform, So Little Change" by Charles M. Payne

I love this thought. I teach student who are growing up in homes and societal times very different than from what I was exposed to. It is so interesting, but sometimes heartbreaking, to listen to a child's perspective about something based on what they are familiar with. I definitely think we learn more from our children than what we can teach them in a year and so we need to intentionally create time/exercises that allow them to learn from each other.