Our last night in Milwaukee. The time has flown, yet we feel like we've been away from home for a long time. We have seen many schools and talked with many school leaders and teachers. Our discussion about what we've seen and what we've read have been wide-ranging and intense.
We thought we knew how to define Urban Education on Day One of Interim. Now, we are not so sure. Or, at least we know that urban education defies a simple definition. It isn't just about teaching kids who come from economically impoverished homes. It isn't about schools that are 'under-resourced,' though it might be. Urban education does not mean simply teaching kids of color.
While I won't pretend to define urban education for the Calvin students who are on this interim, I'll offer a few thoughts that I think I've heard over the past two weeks. First, urban education might well be a job that one loves to hate or hates to love. It will be try you. It will stretch you. It will challenge you. It has the potential to empower you in ways that you cannot yet imagine. As Bill Henk, the Dean of the College of Education at Marquette University, said to us, teaching in an urban setting might be the most noble work one can imagine. It might be.
Teaching in an urban setting might also be a 'hoot.' Working with kids who are often marginalized because of where they live and the experiences they have had, can be disheartening. On the other hand, it can be the best thing that happens to you. Tonight we helped facilitate a game evening with approximately 40 middle school students of Cross Trainers Academy (CTA). It was a fun evening of dodge-ball and catapult-making. On the way back to the mission, several students talked about cool it was to get to know the students of CTA in the few short days we worked with them here in MKE. It was like the kids let us into their hearts quickly, way more quickly than some kids who live in the right zip code area. We know this work isn't easy, but it can be good.
Tomorrow we say good-bye to CTA, the staff and students we've connected with in just a week. We get home late Friday night. I'm sure the train ride home will be quiet and thoughtful as we individually process the experiences of the past two weeks, including meeting incredible school leaders and teachers.
Pray for safe travels and healthy travels. Several of us have come down with pretty intense colds. Pray that the colds stay at that level and that they do not impede our travel.
The best.
ps
Urban Education Interim 2016 Chicago and Milwaukee
Thursday, January 21, 2016
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
We're Still Here
Apologies ... five days have passed since my last post regarding our interim journey in Chicago and Milwaukee. We are on our 7th day in Milwaukee and although it will never be 'home, ' the mission has a certain 'comfort' for us. We know how to navigate the hallways and the myriad locked doors and passageways. We've met several men and women who stay in the mission. We gather in the 'refrigerator' for some of our meals and for snacks. We (or, more accurately, some) watched "The Bachelor," bringing 'reality' to our away-from-home experience. We met staff and students of Cross Trainers Academy and learned about the program at St. Marcus school, a school the serves around eight hundred students, many of whom attend St. Marcus due to the benefit of the Wisconsin voucher, or choice, system.
We have had many and long conversations about the benefits and the concerns associated with the Wisconsin voucher system. We heard of the opportunities afforded to students who would not be able to attend St. Marcus, the Cross Trainers Academy, or the many other 'choice' schools in the area. We wondered about the effect of vouchers on the Milwaukee Public Schools. We are conflicted ...
We rode through what appear to be desolate and desperate streets of the 53206 zip code. We have seen empty lots where houses once stood. We saw big brick buildings of schools and businesses that are boarded up. We saw schools and agencies that are trying to make a difference; to help those 'in need' to lift themselves or to be lifted out of the bonds of poverty. We read that over 60% of the people who live in the 53206 zip code are unemployed and that if one can find a job, one has to leave their community to get it and work in it.
And, we read about and meet real people. We meet Allan. We talk with Keith. We hear the story of Jerry and of Kevin. We find real people. People quite like you. Quite like me. Like us. Beyond the statistic that tells us that 1 in 8 men of color who live in the 53206 are or have been incarcerated, we find that real people live here. They love someone and are loved by someone. They are 'us.'
We are well. We are here and we are anticipating the conclusion of this particular journey. We are getting ready for others ...
We have had many and long conversations about the benefits and the concerns associated with the Wisconsin voucher system. We heard of the opportunities afforded to students who would not be able to attend St. Marcus, the Cross Trainers Academy, or the many other 'choice' schools in the area. We wondered about the effect of vouchers on the Milwaukee Public Schools. We are conflicted ...
We rode through what appear to be desolate and desperate streets of the 53206 zip code. We have seen empty lots where houses once stood. We saw big brick buildings of schools and businesses that are boarded up. We saw schools and agencies that are trying to make a difference; to help those 'in need' to lift themselves or to be lifted out of the bonds of poverty. We read that over 60% of the people who live in the 53206 zip code are unemployed and that if one can find a job, one has to leave their community to get it and work in it.
And, we read about and meet real people. We meet Allan. We talk with Keith. We hear the story of Jerry and of Kevin. We find real people. People quite like you. Quite like me. Like us. Beyond the statistic that tells us that 1 in 8 men of color who live in the 53206 are or have been incarcerated, we find that real people live here. They love someone and are loved by someone. They are 'us.'
We are well. We are here and we are anticipating the conclusion of this particular journey. We are getting ready for others ...
Friday, January 15, 2016
Today was the first day of our interim expedition where we got a chance to interact with kids. Each of the students on the UE Interim spent the morning connecting with students in a classroom (or two) to which they were assigned. It was a 'short' day, since we were in classrooms for the first half of the day. On the other hand, we started the day by arriving at CTA at around 7:15 am. All students reported 'thumbs up' to the idea of finally getting to interact with real kids. The tours of schools in Chicago, including interacting with administrators and school leaders, was excellent. There is nothing like spending time with real kids, however. Spending time in classrooms was a 'hoot.'
Over the summer, CTA moved to its new home on Center Street in Milwaukee. The new school is terrific, housing classrooms in two buildings, an upper school (3rd through 9th) and a lower school (K4-2nd). The facility is bright, spacious and holds comfortably multiple sections of each grade. And, since technically the school is part of the Milwaukee Rescue Mission's program, it is considered to be part of a MRM's North Campus. This means that in addition to the school occupying the new buildings, there is a daycare and other programs to assist families that are experiencing or are at risk to experience homelessness.
This afternoon we spoke with Dr. William (Bill) Henk, Dean of the College of Education for Marquette University. He spoke with us for about 75 minutes, providing contours of challenges and opportunities for urban education in Milwaukee. He shared a deep understanding and commitment to teaching students well in the urban community, relying on enhancing Milwaukee Public Schools, while supporting the development of effective charter schools and schools of choice. While the picture he painted of urban education was not rosy, he provided hope for the future in the form of strong, visionary school leaders and energetic, passionate, and committed teachers. He called the urban educator a "hero" of education and suggested that this work is a calling and one from which much satisfaction, if not heart-ache, can be gleaned. As I walked him out of the building, he reminded me that the true hope for urban education was seated around the table in our meeting room this afternoon: the women and man who are here at CTA to expand their understanding and commitment to educating children and youth in the urban community.
This evening we met over supper with two men who are currently in the MRM program. They shared with us their story of what brought them to live in MRM and to be a part of the MRM program of recovery. They shared their story with confidence that comes from understanding their journey and the development of confidence that they are not alone in handling the challenges and the joys of life. They credited the men and women of the mission who advocate for and with them as they work to uncover the reasons for their homelessness and to chart a plan for recovery. Of course, they spoke eloquently and with passion about a new and a deep relationship with Jesus Christ from whom they draw peace and hope for the future.
As I write this at the end of the day, I feel the tiredness of a day filled with activity, talk, and reflection. All in all, another good day on the urban education trail.
Over the summer, CTA moved to its new home on Center Street in Milwaukee. The new school is terrific, housing classrooms in two buildings, an upper school (3rd through 9th) and a lower school (K4-2nd). The facility is bright, spacious and holds comfortably multiple sections of each grade. And, since technically the school is part of the Milwaukee Rescue Mission's program, it is considered to be part of a MRM's North Campus. This means that in addition to the school occupying the new buildings, there is a daycare and other programs to assist families that are experiencing or are at risk to experience homelessness.
This afternoon we spoke with Dr. William (Bill) Henk, Dean of the College of Education for Marquette University. He spoke with us for about 75 minutes, providing contours of challenges and opportunities for urban education in Milwaukee. He shared a deep understanding and commitment to teaching students well in the urban community, relying on enhancing Milwaukee Public Schools, while supporting the development of effective charter schools and schools of choice. While the picture he painted of urban education was not rosy, he provided hope for the future in the form of strong, visionary school leaders and energetic, passionate, and committed teachers. He called the urban educator a "hero" of education and suggested that this work is a calling and one from which much satisfaction, if not heart-ache, can be gleaned. As I walked him out of the building, he reminded me that the true hope for urban education was seated around the table in our meeting room this afternoon: the women and man who are here at CTA to expand their understanding and commitment to educating children and youth in the urban community.
This evening we met over supper with two men who are currently in the MRM program. They shared with us their story of what brought them to live in MRM and to be a part of the MRM program of recovery. They shared their story with confidence that comes from understanding their journey and the development of confidence that they are not alone in handling the challenges and the joys of life. They credited the men and women of the mission who advocate for and with them as they work to uncover the reasons for their homelessness and to chart a plan for recovery. Of course, they spoke eloquently and with passion about a new and a deep relationship with Jesus Christ from whom they draw peace and hope for the future.
As I write this at the end of the day, I feel the tiredness of a day filled with activity, talk, and reflection. All in all, another good day on the urban education trail.
Wow. Time flies. I intended to post to this blog on a regular basis, but here it is, seven days after we left Grand Rapids and I'm writing my first post.
Chicago was great. We explored the loop during our first weekend. We visited four schools: three Christian schools and one public school. We met great administrators and teachers and students as we learned about each school's journey of educating kids living in the urban environment. Each school has its own interesting story (we visited Chicago West Side Christian, Daystar Christian, Pui Tak Christian, and Waters Elementary). We learned that urban education is complex, that urban education defies one definition, and that being 'resourced' means many things.
I'm writing this post from a lobby area of the third floor of the men's living section of the Milwaukee Rescue Mission (MRM). We arrived in Milwaukee yesterday afternoon, introduced ourselves to the folks at Cross Trainers Academy, and settled into our lodgings at MRM. The women have relatively comfortable digs while Nate and I are in spartan rooms. In fact, the mission was ready for Nate and me and we had to borrow linens from the women. We made due, however, and had a decent night's sleep.
We leave for the day at Cross Trainers Academy (CTA) in about thirty minutes. We want to get there in time to help the staff serve breakfast to the students - who arrive about 7:15. The school day begins at 8:00 am (and ends at 2:30 pm).
Pray that we learn from our experience and that this phase of our experience goes well.
Until later.
ps
Chicago was great. We explored the loop during our first weekend. We visited four schools: three Christian schools and one public school. We met great administrators and teachers and students as we learned about each school's journey of educating kids living in the urban environment. Each school has its own interesting story (we visited Chicago West Side Christian, Daystar Christian, Pui Tak Christian, and Waters Elementary). We learned that urban education is complex, that urban education defies one definition, and that being 'resourced' means many things.
I'm writing this post from a lobby area of the third floor of the men's living section of the Milwaukee Rescue Mission (MRM). We arrived in Milwaukee yesterday afternoon, introduced ourselves to the folks at Cross Trainers Academy, and settled into our lodgings at MRM. The women have relatively comfortable digs while Nate and I are in spartan rooms. In fact, the mission was ready for Nate and me and we had to borrow linens from the women. We made due, however, and had a decent night's sleep.
We leave for the day at Cross Trainers Academy (CTA) in about thirty minutes. We want to get there in time to help the staff serve breakfast to the students - who arrive about 7:15. The school day begins at 8:00 am (and ends at 2:30 pm).
Pray that we learn from our experience and that this phase of our experience goes well.
Until later.
ps
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
UE 2016: Introductory Post
Welcome to a blog for our interim course: Urban Education.
We have not yet officially begun our journey, but anticipation is building. We'll meet on campus for the first three days of interim. On Saturday morning, we climb aboard the train to head to Chicago.
Stay tuned to this blog to read about our journeys and our experiences.
ps
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