AK

Most of my 30 years in education was spent serving students in Title I schools. Title I schools have high percentages of students receiving federal free and reduced lunch.. Many students coming from homes that are proud but struggle to meet the basic needs of a family. Some students are not coming from supportive homes. These are my kids. We take care of our students. No kid goes with out. In return, we are rewarded by kids who inspire adults.
Today, I am a proud principal. Each year Columbus Children's Theater conducts a writing project. Over 1,000 entries are received from Ohio elementary students and only 20 are selected annually to be turned into skits which are then performed through out Ohio by the Columbus Children' s Theater touring company.
Our schools students writing has been selected 12 of the past 13 years. Today, we learned two fifth grade students stories were selected. I cried when I learned that AK's story was selected.
The odds are stacked up against Ak. He has a learning disability and receives special education instruction. His instruction is in an inclusive classroom with the intervention specialist and classroom teacher team teaching. He is being raised by his grandparents. He does not see his parents. Last year, he had open heart surgery and a pace maker was placed in his little boy body.
AK is a good kid. He is a nice kid. He smiled ear to ear to today and he received congratulations through out school. His classmates cheered. AK just smiled. He then said thank you to his teachers for helping him. Google Read and Write tools enabled him to present his story. Accommodations which enable kids to access and present like never before.
You can keep your country club schools. You can keep your private schools. You can keep any thoughts of retirement. Ak smiling ear to ear is all this old principal needs. These are my kids and I learn more from them then they will every learn from me. I am proud to be a principal of a title i school. These are my kids. AK is my teacher.

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