WE ARE MANY. THERE IS POWER IN OUR NUMBERS. TOGETHER WE WILL SAVE OUR SCHOOLS.
This past weekend in Chicago, over 600 people from around the country gathered together to attend the second annual conference of the Network for Public Education. And it was fabulous.... So many edu-bloggers, grassroots organizations, authors, activists, parents, teachers, and superstars in the world of public education were there.
And get this...they all hissed every time Arne Duncan's name was mentioned. Six hundred hissing people is quite impressive in an unnerving sort of way!!
And get this...they all hissed every time Arne Duncan's name was mentioned. Six hundred hissing people is quite impressive in an unnerving sort of way!!
Meet the kids from Newark
Among those invited to speak at the conference were three kids from Newark, New Jersey: Kristin Towkaniuk, Jose Leonardo, and Tanaisa Brown. These teenagers flew across country, booked a hotel room, and hung out in Chicago for the weekend--all without their parents. The only adult in the group was Kristin, an 18 year old senior.
Have no fear, these kids can take care of themselves.
On Friday, Kristin, Jose, and Tanaisa made their way around Chicago. They had lunch in the Signature Room on top of the John Hancock Building, visited Loyola University, and spent the afternoon in Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art. That night, Kristin and Tanaisa worked on their presentation for the next day then wrote Tanaisa's keynote address while Jose finished up his homework by writing an essay.
These are smart kids who attend some of the top ranking high schools in the country. One is pursuing an International Baccalaureate (IB) high school diplomas while another has already been accepted at a prominent university. But that's not why they were invited to the NPE Conference.
Have no fear, these kids can take care of themselves.
On Friday, Kristin, Jose, and Tanaisa made their way around Chicago. They had lunch in the Signature Room on top of the John Hancock Building, visited Loyola University, and spent the afternoon in Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art. That night, Kristin and Tanaisa worked on their presentation for the next day then wrote Tanaisa's keynote address while Jose finished up his homework by writing an essay.
These are smart kids who attend some of the top ranking high schools in the country. One is pursuing an International Baccalaureate (IB) high school diplomas while another has already been accepted at a prominent university. But that's not why they were invited to the NPE Conference.
Making History in History Class
This group of smart, independent kids helped form the Newark Student Union. And it all began in history class. The kids got this idea that if teachers could have unions then so could they. But you should know that these teens are very serious about their student union being exactly that---a student union. Their advice to well-meaning adults who want to organize students to fight against education reform, testing, etc. is to BUTT OUT. It's called a student union for a reason. That doesn't mean that these independent and smart kids don't still need Momma (and Poppa) Bears in their lives who love and support them. And make them clean their rooms before they can go to the protest rally. They do. Kristin, Jose, and Tanaisa all have families and teachers who love and take care of them but when it comes to the student union, any support from adults comes strictly from the sidelines.
These kids have their own ideas on how to run their union. They are extremely well organized and democratic. They settle their differences of opinion by voting. Officers are elected to represent the membership and everyone is assigned a role from protester to care-bear. If you want to know what a care-bear does or more about organizing student unions, you should watch their panel discussion on the NPE website. Don't be fooled by their upbeat attitude, it is not easy to form a student union.
These kids have their own ideas on how to run their union. They are extremely well organized and democratic. They settle their differences of opinion by voting. Officers are elected to represent the membership and everyone is assigned a role from protester to care-bear. If you want to know what a care-bear does or more about organizing student unions, you should watch their panel discussion on the NPE website. Don't be fooled by their upbeat attitude, it is not easy to form a student union.
Activism is hard work and not for the faint of heart. Kristin has had her arm broken and Tanaisa's foot was run over by a car during protests. But they don't often mention those things when talking about the Newark Student Union. And when they do, they seem to take their injuries in stride, much like a football or rugby player who gets hurt on the field. It's all a part of doing what you love.
What these kids do want you to know is that they are still just kids. They have to go to school, take care of their little brothers or sisters, clean their rooms, do their homework, plan for college, and all the other things that teenagers do. In their spare time, they organize rallies, occupy the offices of their Superintendent of Schools, Cami Anderson, and field phone calls from journalists. They also support one another and inspire students from all over the country.
What these kids do want you to know is that they are still just kids. They have to go to school, take care of their little brothers or sisters, clean their rooms, do their homework, plan for college, and all the other things that teenagers do. In their spare time, they organize rallies, occupy the offices of their Superintendent of Schools, Cami Anderson, and field phone calls from journalists. They also support one another and inspire students from all over the country.
Solidarity with Other Students
At the NPE Panel Discussion on High School advocacy, the Newark Student Union lent their support to a student campaign called "Break Free" where students make and wear twine bracelets as a protest test symbol against abusive over-testing. Although opting out of standardized testing is no big deal in New Jersey, the NSU kids wanted to show their support and solidarity with student from other states who are tested against their will.
In New Jersey, most every student opts out of standardized tests. The few students who do decide to be tested are taken to the library while classes continue as usual for everyone else. But students in other states are not so lucky. For those kids, all classes come to a screaming halt as the testing begins and students are given no choice in the matter. Tennessee, for example, requires students to be tested or face repercussions such as a punitive drop in their grades or accusations of truancy. For students in those states, wearing a protest symbol like the "break-free bracelet" is a big deal and for some, their only recourse against mandatory testing.
In New Jersey, most every student opts out of standardized tests. The few students who do decide to be tested are taken to the library while classes continue as usual for everyone else. But students in other states are not so lucky. For those kids, all classes come to a screaming halt as the testing begins and students are given no choice in the matter. Tennessee, for example, requires students to be tested or face repercussions such as a punitive drop in their grades or accusations of truancy. For students in those states, wearing a protest symbol like the "break-free bracelet" is a big deal and for some, their only recourse against mandatory testing.
Why We Will Win...
We have been warned that in the fight for the survival of public education, things will get even uglier before the billionaires get bored and move on to something else. We have also been told not to give up because we will win. The Newark Student Union is a big reason why we will win. They are our not-so-secret-weapon that will bring the billionaires to their knees. Bill Gates, Eli Broad, et al may have more money than they know what to do with....but there is one thing these billionaires will never, ever have again.... And that is youth.
"...the tragedy of old age, which is not that it is less vigorous than youth, but that it is not needed by youth; that its love and prosy sageness, so important a few years ago, so gladly offered now, are rejected with laughter."---Sinclair Lewis
Kids have their own unique way of doing things. They have their own particular perspective that is crystal clear in a way that can only be seen through young eyes. And so it is with the Newark teenagers.
While everyone else was packing up at the end of the NPE Conference to head home, the kids from Newark had their own ideas. Kristin, Jose, and Tanaisa took the opportunity to see the "real Chicago" with Asean Johnson and his mom, Shoneice Reynolds. They visited communities hit the hardest by school closures and talked with the kids who are on the front lines in the fight to save public education in Chicago. They shared deep dish pizza and encouragement to "keep fighting, keep marching." Reminding each other that "we have nothing to lose but our chains!"
In the spirit of this fearless compassion, Momma Bears has a bold warning for Arne Duncan: Our children are more than white, more than suburban, and more brilliant than your condescending mind will ever know. And they will do more than hiss at your name. They believe in action. And God help you, if they ever decide to occupy your office.
While everyone else was packing up at the end of the NPE Conference to head home, the kids from Newark had their own ideas. Kristin, Jose, and Tanaisa took the opportunity to see the "real Chicago" with Asean Johnson and his mom, Shoneice Reynolds. They visited communities hit the hardest by school closures and talked with the kids who are on the front lines in the fight to save public education in Chicago. They shared deep dish pizza and encouragement to "keep fighting, keep marching." Reminding each other that "we have nothing to lose but our chains!"
In the spirit of this fearless compassion, Momma Bears has a bold warning for Arne Duncan: Our children are more than white, more than suburban, and more brilliant than your condescending mind will ever know. And they will do more than hiss at your name. They believe in action. And God help you, if they ever decide to occupy your office.
For more about the Newark Student Union, check out their Facebook page and you can financially support their efforts here. Momma Bears would like to thank the Network for Public Education for giving us the opportunity to meet kids from across the country who are passionate about saving public education.