Charlotte, NC

As reported in The Charlotte Observer, The C. D. Spangler Foundation’s pledged $4 million to help our schools increase its Teach for America corps next year.
Now, for those of you who are wondering, this is one of the most important and welcome projects that has been formulated in years. You see,
Teach For America (sometimes called a Peace Corps for public education} recruits highly-moraled and idealistic college grads who didn’t major in education, then gives them a six-week “crash” course in teaching impoverished kids and sends them to urban and rural schools that don’t have (and can’t find) enough teachers. It started placing them in our schools four years ago, with 45 recruits signing up for two-year stints. Today, that number’s grown to about 130.

The money will recruit 70 more quality grads to teach in CMS’s neediest schools — and that’s in addition to the 80 the school board’s already planned to add. Now, we’ve got a bond referendum coming up concerning our schools (though the pledge by Spangler was totally coincidental), and there might be some who wonder if this program really works.

All you need to do is look around you. There are alumni of this program that are making some positive changes in their lives … and, since I travel with my journalism and announcing, I’ve seen this program in action beyond the Queen City. It is nothing less than a true Godsend to these children who, otherwise, might not have the quality education and care of solid, understanding and patient teachers!

We, in America, have no right to rob any child of his or her education, no matter what age, sex, race, economic situation, religion, background or preference he or she might be. Our only leaders … in fact, our only future as a nation … comes from how we treat these children today. That goes for teachers, parents, preachers, counselors or any other adults.

Here’s where I switch into Rock Relic mode for a minute: If you’ve got a music engine on your computer, download these songs:

• The Oak Ridge Boys –Thank God For Kids
• Crosby, Stills & Nash — Teach Your Children
• Ricky Van Shelton — Keep It Between The Lines

If these don’t touch your heart about the importance of kids (especially that first one), try one of my signature songs (it is hard to find, but you can do it) The Knickerbockers — Coming Generation. That one should certainly do the trick!

God bless Dick Spangler and his wonderful, charitable pledge. This city is stronger and better thanks to him being in it …