Let the Light In

I love our school's annual themes, but I have to admit that last year's "Be Brave" is my all-time favorite (so far).  I think it is because I see so many acts of bravery every day at Perry Central.  Maybe part of it is also the Sara Bareilles song that became an anthem for the year.   I am a sucker for good lyrics, and the following lines from the song give me cold chills every single time I hear them.

Everybody's been there, everybody's been stared down by the enemy,

Fallen for the fear and done some disappearing,

Bowed down to the mighty.

Don't run; just stop holding your tongue.

Maybe there's a way out of the cage where you live;

Maybe one of these days, you can let the light in.

Show me...how big your brave is.

Yep, cold chills right now.  These lines resonate because for some kids, we can almost see the bars of their cages.  Their cages are made of poverty or violent homes or sexual abuse or hunger or loneliness or obesity or simply not fitting in with their peers.  These cages should make learning, which is our fundamental purpose as a school, a long shot.  Yet learn they do.  Our kids amaze us all the time.  

Just this morning I saw a student (a struggling reader) raise his hand to answer the teacher's question about what a character's actions could tell us about theme.  The young man started out a bit tentatively; then the teacher gave him a nod and smile, and he said the smartest thing.  He said the character showed that it is important to never give up hope.  And he was right about the theme, and he understood the message.  The teacher has created a classroom culture that shines light and opens cages.  And out comes bravery!  I was lucky to see one act of bravery among the hundreds that surely happened today.  Please forgive my sappiness, but the staff and students here are, quite simply, an inspiration.  That gives me cold chills, too.  I am going to have to get a sweater.