Parma Plan It: If Not Us, Then Who?

If you didn't watch and listen to the video, please stop reading and take time. It really carries the message of this entire blog, and I could just stop typing and hit post because the message in this song is the most important message I want you to hear in this week's post. Listen to the words and the message.

We can spend so much time talking about the homes some of our kids come from or the lack of parental support or the fact that many of our kids come from poverty and a lack of experiences. We can have empathy for their situation and realize that they need us to nurture them and care for them, and yes, some of them, we need to clothe and feed and take care of many of their basic needs. We can't stop there. Because if we don't also hold them to high expectations and push them to become independent, successful learners, who will. "If not us, then who?! "

Coming from a less fortunate situation does not warrant lower expectations. Just the opposite. It is because of this that we need to raise our expectations and help our students see the possibilities. For our students, for every student who enters the doors at Parma Elementary, it is up to us to "do something". If not us, then who?

Along with higher expectations, we need to continue the pursuit of helping our
students develop leadership qualities that will help them be successful. We know that it is at our school and with us that they will learn these skills and see the possibilities for their future where they can reach their true potential. The song states that "I'm sick and tired of life with no desire. I don't want a flame. I want a FIRE!" It goes on to say, "I want to be the ONE to stand up and DO SOMETHING!" For every child we encounter, we are the ONE. If not us, then who?

I am thankful to work every day with people who realize that "we are never going to change the world by standing still." We are constantly looking for ways to improve, ways to make ourselves and our school better in order to meet the needs of our students....to meet them where they are and take them beyond where they could ever imagine on their own. If not us, then who?

Continue loving our kids and building relationships with them that make all the difference in the world. Along with caring for them and building relationships, let them know we care enough to hold them to very high expectations. We don't lower our expectations because we care. In reaching those expectations, they will realize that they don't just have a flame, they have a fire to DO SOMETHING!