NYC Students BEAM with Math Success

The recent success of the film “ Hidden Figures” has brought into the public consciousness the struggle of minority women to be acknowledged as competent in math (and science). There is a need to challenge minority students to succeed in math and to accomplish that educators must look beyond the traditional classroom setting.  A recent article in the New York Times examined an experimental four-week summer program, BEAM 6 in New York City. BEAM stands for Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics and is designed for students had just completed the sixth grade. This extracurricular program currently has over 75 students who come from low-income families throughout the city’s public schools. The program has demonstrated that these students, with the proper teaching and encouragement, can succeed in higher-level mathematics.

According to the Times article only 2% of the Ph.Ds. in math, engineering and physical sciences were awarded to African- American candidates in 2015. The rate for Latino students was only slightly better. The BEAM program is just a microcosm of what needs to be done to both encourage and assist low-income minority students to succeed.

C.2017 J. Margolis

Finding Cultural Equality in the Classroom

It has been more than 60 years since the US Supreme Court issued the landmark Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka and the question that we as educators must ask is how much of an improvement in American public education has there been since then? But even if all schools are integrated, new issues keep popping up.

Let’s start with immigrant children. In view of recent events, there is fear among many immigrant children that their parents will not be at home when they get home from school, victims of ICE deportations. There are concerns among indigent families that after school services and free and reduced lunch programs may be cut.

What about Muslim children? Are they concerned that they might be bullied or harassed at school?  Have their families express the fear that the long-standing American welcome mat may no longer apply to them?

 As if America’s educators did not have enough to deal with in the classroom, these new concerns come along. How are we going to address multi-culturalism in the classroom? The questions can go on infinitely but we need to seek answers.

Teachers need to find a way to connect with their students and those paths may not always be through textbooks. We need to stress that in order for America is to remain first among nations, that inclusion is the key to success. Teachers need to be advocates for social justice, even if it can’t be found on the streets and in our neighborhoods.

All-time Best Movies About Teachers

Over the years there have been many films about teachers, many of them not showing educators in a positive light. I have decided to compile of my own list of films that do show the good,the honest,the brave and the successful in teaching. Please feel free to comment with your own additions. I will add them to a future Blog.

Here Goes (in no particular order)!

1)   Dead Poets Society

2)   The Emperors Club

3)   Goodbye Mr. Chips

4)   October Sky

5)   Dangerous Minds

6)    Freedom Writers

7)   Blackboard Jungle

8)   Mr. Holland’s Opus

9)   To Sir With Love

10) Stand and Deliver

C. 2017 J. Margolis