Recently, one of my students (he just turned 12) wrote this in response to a quick write at the beginning of class. He failed to turn it in "on time" but I think it was well worth the wait. This goes out to all those out there who say middle schoolers can't think. That they're just a bunch of hormone-laden children with no awareness of their world and how they fit inside of it. I share it here because, damn, IT'S GREAT!
"Only one thing can fix our schools and it is not money. The only thing that can fix our schools is us people that are trying to learn for their lives. People like the principal, assistant principal, the dean of students, the secretaries are supposed to be those allowed to fix our schools. But they can’t because politicians and rich people are too busy announcing things that put more money in their pockets. So us kids have to be the saviors. All those people have had over 30 years to fix what they have broken. Now us kids will get it done. If someone is reading this and don’t agree or understand I get you fully. But really, these people need to stop thinking about themselves and start thinking about our future. Because the administration, teachers, and kids are playing with fire. If we aren’t carful, everyone will get burned. If everyone gets burned there will be no future for anyone."
Twelve years on this earth- and he already understands the schools better than Arne Duncan. There's hope.