In New Orleans for the 11th Annual Satchmo Summerfest, I can’t resist a quick visit to the KIPP McDonogh15 Charter School for the Arts, about which I wrote a series of stories last August. http://ptatlarge.typepad.com/ptatlarge/2010/09/new-orleans-charter-schools-and-recovery-part-4.html
The school is part of a massive Recovery School District program begun by the Louisiana State Legislature in 2003 to take over failing schools. The public school system was so riddled with ineptitude and corruption, the Legislature voted to fire all 7500 teachers and employees in the Orleans School District shortly after Katrina.
The Orleans Parish schools are now part of the Recovery School District. The new schools are now publicly funded schools run by for-profit or nonprofit groups that operate by a "charter," or contract. "KIPP is a national network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students in underserved communities for success for college and for life."
There’s nothing like the hum of a school in the week before school officially begins. The emotional range between tension, anticipation, and excitement is palpable. Hope is in the air. Hope for a successful year, hope for creating an environment in which learning flourishes, character is formed, and ideals forged.
Less obvious but present is a layer of apprehension as parents, teachers, students and administrators wonder: how will the year go?
I’m looking for April Griffith, Business Operations Manager of the K - 5 school, who gave me an informal tour last August. Cartons of supplies are piled high on spotless linoleum floors. Small groups of teachers are huddled around desks in classrooms discussing curriculum, strategy, supplies, first week activities.
Parent volunteers sell Tshirts and answer questions at a table in the hallway.
"Is this your daughter? She's so pretty. How did you get her hair to look like that," says the grandmotherly woman to the young mother who's been nervously waiting for her daughter to finish being assessed by reading teacher.
"She's lost a little during the summer but she'll be fine," says the teacher as she walks out of the classroom with the girl.
Young teachers stand back and fuss with the arrangement of cutout letters proclaiming themes and school goals creating a space that says welcome, you belong here, we want you here. Messages of school themes pop up on every wall and stairway, a visual reminder of what the school is all about. Whether they become wallpaper or themes to live by will become clear as the weeks go by.
The sound of “I Feel Like Funkin’ It Up” ring out from the classroom at the end of the hall. “That’s pretty good motivational music,” I say to the young man working on the bulletin board outside the door. Probably every New Orleanian has heard that song.
“I use music to help me teach,” he says. “I made a cleaned up version of that song and I call it “We’re Gonna Clean It Up.“
“I’ve lived in New Orleans for a month and half. I love it here.” No cut out letters for him. A pack of fresh magic markers on the ladder behind him, he’s busy drawing a huge picture that’s going to be his personal proclamation to his very first class of kindergarteners.
For some reason, I feel like weighing in. “I taught ten year olds for 34 years. Know your stuff, follow whatever rules you set up, and love your kids,” I say.
I could have recited a way longer list but this would do as a cheer from the sidelines. If he’s lucky, and has good mentors, and a strong sense of self and purpose, he’ll make it.
New Orleans schools were crumbling and the system was an abysmal failure before Katrina. It remains to be seen if Charter Schools staffed by young, relatively inexperienced teachers, can make a dent in illiteracy and inequity of education.
The clock is ticking. In one week, these fledgling teachers will put their minds and hearts to the test. It’s not a stretch to say that New Orleans’s future is on the line.
Photos by Paul A.Tamburello, Jr.
KIPP McDonogh's ideals will be put to the test.
Very insprational. Thanks for sending.
Posted by: May Louise White | August 23, 2011 at 08:15 PM