No, this isn’t a bad title for a B-grade movie or even the beginning of a joke. Just stick with me as I meander into Value Beyond School—for you, for me, and for all of our 
students.
It all started one day when Dr. Bruce King sent an email with a three-hour video attached and a request to have a blog written about it. Misunderstanding completely (he just wanted a blurb and the link posted), I wrestled with the thought of watching a video by people I didn’t know in order to write something about Value Beyond School.
After another polite inquiry by Bruce, I decided to turn down the sound on the Broncos’ game and listen/watch the video featuring Tavis Smiley and Dr. Cornel West during one of their stops on the Poverty Tour 2.0.
So here is the blurb about the video . . . Mr. Smiley and Dr. West are traveling around the country and, via PBS and radio, are holding town meetings about poverty and the economic gap in America and it’s devastating impact on our children, our society, and our country. (They coauthored a book that was on best-seller lists—The Rich and the Rest of Us.) With an impressive array of panelists, the duo brings to our attention the need for justice, action, and equality. In the first 15 minutes, you will see a student-produced video about poverty in their city. Then, Ralph Nader gives students information during the last 20 minutes on how they can start changing politics and impact our legislators – the Value Beyond School pieces that Bruce wanted to get out to readers. And really, this is a thought-provoking video that promotes authentic opportunities for students AND adults.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWOV9QKmKjc
Stick with me—the significance of both the title and video are coming.
Meanwhile the Broncos’ game morphed into the Ravens and Steelers, and I was still wondering about a blog. I gave in to sleep and woke up Monday morning and headed to Lenox, Iowa for the funeral of Agnes Porter, a 99-year old aunt-by- marriage. To know Agnes was to know a crusader – the petite, feisty lady was a straight-ticket Democrat, a union president, a faithful church person, an author, and a righter of wrongs. She never hesitated to try to push you to action or change your mind on an issue. Son Joe and his family lived in fear for the past few years that Mother would be evicted from the care facility because of one of her many crusades. At the time of her passing, Agnes was loudly voicing concerns about the nurses aids and their low wages and long hours – a union was needed! At 99 years of age! The energy, the passion, the need for justice – should we all have those characteristics at 70, at 50, at 30, at 15.
Now, the point of this blog. The video is an impassioned plea to do something about poverty, to find the “fire in the belly” to help others and get involved as a crusader in righting the wrongs of our country and end poverty. Yesterday, a small community celebrated the life of another crusader in Aunt Agnes, who pushed for reform in her own small world. Today, I say that we, the AIW community, are quiet crusaders as we work to reform education for our children—teacher by teacher, building by building, district by district.
When we feel defeated, like we don’t make a difference, wondering why change takes so long, remember those people who crusade their whole lives—the Smileys, the Naders, the Wests of the world, or even an Agnes next door. Continue to push for reform, continue to reimagine our educational world, and continue to work your AIW magic.
Value Beyond School and Authenticity should be stenciled on our calling cards.
Carry on, Crusaders!