Monday, January 30, 2017

Track 1: In Every Child a Promise



There was nothing I enjoyed more in the 80s than making a mixtape.  Whether it be to try to impress a certain lady (It's hard to believe... but, I had no game) or just to keep a collection of cool songs, the mix tape was a labor of love.  I did not always have the money to buy a record or cassette at the local Warehouse or Tower Records, so I relied on carefully recording songs off the radio.  I would wait for hours to capture Beat It or When Doves Cry.  As I grew older, I developed a good sense of creating a mixtape that captured themes, genres or emotions.  If you were someone that I cared deeply about, you had a mixtape coming your way.  As I became a teacher, I never let music and the mixtape leave me.  Even though we moved on to CDs and MP3s, I would ask students as a class project to make their own mixtapes about a topic we were studying.  Even if a student did not love music, I could count on the mixtape to learn a little more about each student.  I was amazed how music connected us.  Even as an administrator and a college professor, I still make mixtapes that serve as a soundtrack for our mission and our time together.  And so now, I would like to offer you a mixtape about educators.  Each month, I will post a song with lyrics, themes about education and some thoughts.  I hope you enjoy the music and it makes you think about how important your role is in creating harmony in this world.  As an educator, you orchestrate the success of students every day.  You create the soundtrack in your classes that capture the joy and love of learning.  Let's jump into the first track -- Every Child a Promise by Robi Kahakalau.  I hope you can use these songs to create dialogue or reminders for all educators that they are special just like the students and community members.


“Every Child a Promise”
In every child there lies a promise
There’s great potential in their hearts and minds
They only need a little kindness
Patience and guidance to help them fly
In every child a promise
Give them a chance and see
Each one is very special
Be part of their dream
In every child lies our future
Teach them the past so they can find their way
Life’s greatest lessons come from sharing
Each child through knowledge will shine one day
In every child a promise
Give them a chance and see
Each one is very special
Be part of their dream
In every child there lies a promise
There’s great potential in their hearts and minds
They only need a little kindness
Patience and guidance to help them fly
In every child a promise
Let’s show them we believe
Each one is very special
Let them live their dream

We all became educators to make a difference in the lives of young people.   What an honor it is to be a part of the journey as our students become their next best selves.  It can get difficult at times when we want to look at the possible negatives in a student, but as Robi says, "Each child through knowledge will shine one day."    It's the story of potential.  When we plant a seed, we still must cultivate the land and water the seed even if we don't see immediate growth.  With each passing day, the seed will eventually sprout.  Some take longer than others.  Here are some great resources to consider as you help each student achieve their potential. 



See you next month for the next song in the educator's mixtape.  And in case you needed a little more inspiration about helping students reach their potential, I offer you Rita Pierson.



5 comments:

  1. LOVE this concept! This post is a wonderful reminder of why we became educators and the fundamental needs of our students. Congrats on starting the blog! I look forward to the next "track".

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  2. Perfect! Love it. I needed to read this after a tough couple of weeks counseling my seniors.

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  4. Well this takes me back 12 years to when there would be music playing in your class. It made everyday unique and memorable. UFISCH!

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  5. Correction... although the song "Every child a promise" was beautifully performed by Sistah Robi Kahakalau, my sister, Ernelle
    Downs (formerly Ernelle Cruz, sister of musicians Ernie Cruz Jr & John Cruz) wrote the song.

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