Leadership Matters February 2014

Poverty in the public education classroom

“Poverty still matters and

work during coffee breaks with guitars, singing and dancing right in the teachers’ lounge. Both schools serve the same impoverished population of Ecoporanga, one on the east side of town, the other on the west. One has a new school. The other relentlessly pursues a powerful, shared vision. This school thrives. Her students succeed -- and they were awarded the Premio Gestão Escolar, a source of hope and pride for the whole community. Poverty still matters and cannot be dismissed, but something else matters more: changing lives for our students in poverty. This is our leadership challenge. I am humbled by the work this exemplary leader demonstrates in the face of poverty. I am encouraged to know that so many of my colleagues are committed to a similar vision. I am grateful to all of the dedicated teachers I observe on a regular basis as they work tirelessly to improve the lives of our children. With the release of the 2013 PISA results, there is a lot of talk about poverty and its influence on students’ lives and academic achievement. Op-ed pieces abound from the New York Times to the Wall Street Journal to the Lexington Herald. Thomas Friedman suggests that there is, “No Shanghai Secret.” The Wall Street Journal cites the Perry Pre- school study and asks for investment in early childhood education. Former military officers in Kentucky call for support of public education as a means to national security. Leadership . Leadership matters more. This is our challenge. My challenge is to simply do better. cannot be dismissed, but something else matters more: changing lives for our students in poverty. This is our leadership challenge.” -- Michael Shimshak, Carbondale Elementary District 95

Sra. Geanne Darc de Vete Alves, principal at Escola Estadual de Ensino Fundamental e Médio in Ecoporanga, Espirto Santo, Brazil, looks on with her students as their classmates demonstrate an outdoor science project.

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