Helping Children Realize Their Best Selves

Dear Readers:Can we admit the pandemic sucked big-time? Families and educators had to endure social and political madness with children in tow. Pandemic learning loss can deepen because young minds cannot access high-level content without self-confidence or self-control.My two most enriching expectations are contradictory. I teach children to speak ("e;You are a voice in this world who deserves to be heard!"e;). I also teach silence ("e;Be quiet! Control yourself!"e;). Children must learn how to assert their ideas and feelings during work and play. Simultaneously, scholars must be capable of stillness in order to self-reflect, ponder new concepts, listen attentively to others, and do their best on high-stakes tests. I have as yet to have a child in my class who did not learn to differentiate the time to speak from the time for silence.Sincerely,Ms. FranklinPS: Not only for teachers and parents, my book is also from one concerned citizen to others who believe American prosperity is contingent upon preparing all children to become productive adults.Section 1: RoadblocksRace Relations in AmericaWith an increase in hate crime, we lack the luxury to pretend we live in a postracial society. None of us can truly realize our best selves with either hate in our heart or fear in our soul.Section 2: PathwaysPave the Road to SuccessWe adults must deconstruct barriers that arrest student achievement. We must do better if we want all children to be better.Section 3: HighwaysOnce a Student-Now a ScholarAll children can and must learn to distinguish mindsets and behaviors that are prerequisites for success from those that divert discovery of one's career path.Ms. Franklin's Recurrent Advice to Struggling Scholars"e;Mean and happiness cannot coexist, live together!"e;"e;The who you were yesterday is not the who you have to be today! Change! Learn! Grow! Do it for yourself! Do it for our community!"e;