Jackie Gerstein

With being a 21st century teacher comes the responsibility of global stewardship, of advocating for the rights of all children.  We have so many privileges in the United States - free public education, a roof over our heads, usually three (or more meals) a day.  The world is now flat.  Access to what is happening throughout the world is readily and realistically available.  No more can any of us clam "I didn't know".  As a teacher, I need to pro-actively work towards the rights of all children.   The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the first legally binding international instrument to incorporate the full range of human rights—civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights. It spells out the basic human rights that children everywhere have: the right to survival; to develop to the fullest; to protection from harmful influences, abuse and exploitation; and to participate fully in family, cultural and social life. The four core principles of the Convention are non-discrimination; devotion to the best interests of the child; the right to life, survival and development; and respect for the views of the child. Every right spelled out in the Convention is inherent to the human dignity and harmonious development of every child. The Convention protects children's rights by setting standards in health care; education; and legal, civil and social services.UNICEF is a working example of promoting the rights of all children.  Their explanation of the framework for the convention for all children can be found in their website.  Make sure you view their Photo Essay of the Rights of Children.  As an teacher, I need to educate my students, other educators, parents, and the community.  Watch the Invisible Children: 100% Campaign below.

I have a dream and that dream is that equal opportunities are afforded to all children no matter what ethnicity, social class, economic circumstances.  I do not believe we live in a world of equal opportunity.  If our students do not realized they have choices, then equal opportunity cannot exist.  It is a different situation when a kid decides to empty bed pans out of choice then if she does so because all the messages and choices she was given throughout her schooling was to do so. I am an educator.  I have a responsibility to not just treat the symptoms related to  achievement gaps that exist between the individuals of different ethnicities, heritages, socio-economic levels, and global addresses - but also the causes.  As a teacher, I have to educate for global betterment.  I have a mission and a vision of a just world where all children receive good teaching rather than a pedagogy of poverty (see Haberman's Pedagogy of Poverty vs. Good Teaching).  I teach children and I teach teachers – hoping that the result is systemic change.  As Mel Levine stated, “Success is like a vitamin.”  He was referencing success of children – but I can visualize this same attitude – paradigm for the change of the systems used to educate children.

Edutopia's Daring Dozen - 2007
This is Edutopia's 2007 Daring Dozen, twelve people who are reshaping the future of education. Every thriving culture has its exceptional citizens, and in the world of education, where it takes exceptional skills simply to survive, these folks stand out. 

I had the opportunity to see/listen to one of my heroes, Jonathan Kozol, a few weeks ago.  I also heard him about ten years ago.  His passion for the Savage Inequities in our country has only grown.  What follows is a video of his discussion of his new book, The Shame of a Nation.

Speaking of savage inequalities - the following film was made by a young woman who is African American   . . .  the film says it all . . .  and this is in the 21st century!