Left
to right, starting in front: Tina Mangum, Morgan Sullivan,
Jennifer Zimmerman, Jonathon Kozol, Dr. Michelle McClure,
Shantia Robinson. Back row: Rebecca Kohler, Dr. Terry
Burant (photo by Elhadji Ndaw, graduate of EDPL
master's program)
On
a chilly and windy Sunday evening in November, six
undergraduate students and four faculty members from
Marquette's teacher education program attended the
anniversary gala celebrating 20 years for Milwaukee-based
urban educational journal Rethinking Schools.
The event was held at the Villa Terrace
Decorative Arts Museum overlooking Lake Michigan.
Along with approximately 160 guests, SOE students
(Rebecca Kohler, Tina Mangum, Morgan Sullivan, Shantia
Robinson, Elisa Mascorro, and Jennifer Zimmerman)
and faculty (Dr. Terry Burant, Dr. Ellen Eckman, Dr.
Robert Lowe, and Dr. Michelle McClure) were treated
to fine music, good food, and stimulating conversation
with a wide variety of Milwaukee-area educators, community
leaders, and supporters of educational reform.
One
of the highlights of the evening was a talk given
by author Johnathan Kozol, as well as remarks by editors
and supporters of Rethinking Schools. Kozol
discussed how his latest book The Shame of the
Nation: The Restoration of Apartheid Schooling in
America (Crown Publishing) documents racial
segregation in urban schools in the United States.
Following his presentation, Kozol talked eagerly with
Marquette 's future teachers about their hopes and
dreams for teaching.
A
number of attendees were kind enough to share their
thoughts about the event:
Shantia
Robinson, a secondary English education student, had
this to say about the event: “I really enjoyed
our night with Mr. Kozol. He was very personable and
his words were thought provoking. It felt good to
know that we were not alone, that there are others
struggling like us!”
Morgan
Sullivan, elementary education and Spanish and co-president
of Teachers for Social Justice, a student organization
in the School of Education , commented: “Attending
the event about Kozol was extremely interesting because
it allowed me to see all of the real teachers that
have ideals similar to mine. At times being an education
student I feel disconnected from the role of social
justice in the classroom, but this event confirmed
for me that there are people working hard to create
a more equitable school system in Milwuakee as well
as the nation.”
Elisa
Mascorro, senior, Spanish and secondary education
said: “It was extremely exciting and motivating
to see current teachers actively working on social
justice. It was evident that we still have a
long way to go in order to achieve this goal but every
teacher can make a difference."
Dr.
Michelle McClure reflected on how the event impacted
her: “I was really moved by the event because
the event put into perspective for me the tremendous
impact that Rethinking Schools is having on public
education. This group of people seem to keep public
education true to the mission and purpose of schooling
in America which to me is to provide quality education
in which all students can learn. They seem to be the
true movers and shakes in making sure that ‘no child
is left behind.' I was amazed at the support
and respect that Kozol had for Rethinking Schools.
I was not aware of his connection with the organization.
But one could tell that his views RS as a true ally
in addressing issues of inequities and access to education.”
