Raising the Expectations

It’s the close of another school year. As part of our end of the year survey, we ask the children we serve to tell us their favorite lesson. The answers surprised me, like never before.

The number one response? “I loved learning about being a host and a guest.” Surprising because this is one of the lessons that adults have criticized as not being appropriate for many of our impoverished inner city students. I can’t begin to tell you how many times well-meaning adults have suggested that this lesson does not fit the lifestyle of a child growing up in poverty.

It saddens my heart to hear adults insist that children in poverty are different than other children. That they should not receive instruction in the same life skills that children growing up outside of poverty receive. I’ve heard comments like, “They will never experience being a guest.” “You’re making them feel bad they don’t have nice homes.” “You’re setting them up for disappointment.”

But that’s not what the children are telling us. The children are telling us they LOVE the lesson. They love learning about Gulliver the Grumpy Guest who knows how to be a pest and Gabriel the Grateful Guest who always gives his best! As so often is the case, the children hear the deeper meaning of the lesson that many adults miss. They understand that everywhere they go, they are a guest. They understand that when anyone enters their “space” they become a host.

I believe this says a lot about the way we go about educating high-risk children. We lower the expectations, and in so doing, give the children a clear message that they are less than other children.

Which I trust no one really believes.

From my heart to yours, 

Wilbur