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March 30, 2008

The guest speaker for the annual National Black Caucus of School Board Members Luncheon this year was Lorraine Monroe, educator and founder of the Frederick Douglas Academy located in Harlem, New York. Dr. Monroe thrilled the audience with her no-nonsense approach to educating our black youth. Her career and experiences have spanned the globe and her attainment of success in education is immeasurable.

Her charge to board members and administrators in the audience was to, "make our teachers crazy about the children!" She indicated that we need to challenge our children, from the womb and give them experiences that will take them well beyond high school. Dr. Monroe stated that, "the first step to college begins in kindergarten." "As educators, she indicated that we can't be just what the kids like; we have to ask more, demand good behavior and change their lives." It is important to equip all children for the future and beyond.

It is easy to see why Dr. Monroe has attained her level of success in educating children because she has high expectations for our youth, accepts no excuses from staff and understands that you can’t change home, but knows that a child can be transformed from those circumstances. Her belief that you can create high achieving schools and transform children’s lives is real!

Dr. Monroe also indicated that teachers and administrators need to be on the same page at the same time. She stated that teachers cannot be children and shouldn’t dress like them or try to be their friends. Teachers are there to teach, inspire and motivate children to learn. There must be clear boundaries for success.

In the closing remarks, Dr. Monroe asked everyone in the room to stand and repeat these words: "With these hands, with this heart, with this mind, we can do anything!" Imagine starting the day at your school with this pledge. The children will learn it, live it and love it. I left that luncheon knowing that we have to meet our children where they are, show them love and teach them. They need to understand, according to Dr. Monroe, "that going to school is their job and that they need to get a diploma". We should give them life changing experiences as young as possible so they know about college and have a plan to get there. Dr. Monroe told a story about learning various folk songs in her middle school years and how that impacted her later in life when she traveled to Europe. Her comment to a child, “you belong anywhere your American Express card takes you," is a testament to her commitment of educating all children and changing their lives. She has no limits on what our children are capable of doing. Dr. Monroe is a dynamic speaker with an amazing message for educators. Attending this luncheon has definitely been a highlight for me! I am inspired to return to my district and assure that our children are positioned for true educational success. To read more about Dr. Monroe and her successful school model, see her book, Nothing is Impossible: Leadership Lessons From Inside and Outside the Classroom.

Posted by Terri Sharpp, Blog Team, at 12:55 PM | Special Programs & Events | Comments (1)

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