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As I watched this I was shocked at what all that I/we take for granted is considered privilege among others. We often over look simple blessings that are actually what gives so many a head start. The lack of these blessings that we take for granted are major obstacles for others tgat

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I never had a clue how lucky I was growing up not worrying about food, heat, clothes, etc.  I believed that every child had the same life as me and never thought twice about those living hard in horrible conditions.  I carried that belief through college until I started my first job working in the inner city of Toledo in 1996.  In Toledo my eyes were opened to the huge difference between my expectations of a home and the reality my students faced each day.  I can still remember the name of one of my students who was murdered by a rival gang for running drugs. He was in 8th grade.   Through the experience in Toledo and the years here in Alexander County I have come to realize how important it is that each child knows you value who they are, what their needs are, and that you are there to help and genuinely care. It is only after that has been established that you can start to teach.  No school in this county does this better!

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This video has made me stop in my tracks! What a visual reminder of the different backgrounds we see in our classrooms every day.  My prayer is that I put the desire in each child's heart to always want to work hard and to succeed and that I help them dream to believe that that can be the best that they can be.

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Even after 22 years of teaching, its still amazing to me how the reality of exactly what this video was showing hits me in the face  every single day.  Just today a story a little boy told me reminded me again that these babies come to us sometimes with even the basic necessities not being met, and it breaks my heart. Yes, I grew up privileged. I know I started out "steps ahead" of a lot of others through nothing but dumb luck. Now, its my responsibility to not only teach, but care for and love children who have no control over where they are starting out in life, just like I had no control where I started out in mine. As their teacher, sometimes their first teacher, I hope I can somehow make their race a little easier and a little more successful.

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I know I grew up with an advantage over some of my peers. However, as a younger person it is hard to acknowledge that or have the maturity to be aware of it.  I love that the video says that there is nothing that we have done as a kid or young adult that gave us that advantage.  But, I love even more, that he also points out that the students who do not have the advantages did nothing to deserve their fate either.  Our kids at SPES have had no control over their circumstances to this point in life.  However, they still have to run the race.  This is our calling as teachers, to prepare them they best we can to run the race of life!
Jordan

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As a  child,  I was very privileged. I do feel I had a head start in life. Working at SPES has opened my eyes to examples of how different each life can be. This video has reminded me of how difficult some of our students' homes can be.
Rebecca Bouchard

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This video reminds me of why I asked in my interview to teach only at Taylorsville or Stony Point Elelementary. I remember telling Barry Redmond, I am called to those who are not expected to beat the odds. While students who have been left behind do attend all schools, I felt these were the two schools with the greatest need. I was the kid in the divorced home,  with a mother dying of a lung disease, who did help pay the bills. So every year God places a child from a similar background that I get to mentor. We are all here to plant seeds of hope, faith, courage; no matter what race the child is running. Thank you for being a staff that believes in our kids. We have the hardest, yet greatest calling on earth.
Remember this on days when the paperwork is overwhelming and the demands seem endless. You are here to help a child beat the odds!
Amy Childers

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We have no idea what the person beside us has gone through or IS currently going through.  Furthermore, we don't know that we, ourselves, may not face the same thing at some point. If we don't show GRACE, then we cannot receive GRACE in return.
I am continually reminded how very blessed I am to have a roof over my head, shoes on my feet and food in my cabinet.  Not to mention my incredible family!
Shannon

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I have watched the video several times and still don't know how to respond. It kills me to think that all children are not treated the same and given the same opportunities. I know that they are not, but it is so frustrating to think about how they are treated - with nothing they can do about it and usually not even knowing that their situation is not "OK". I should be ashamed at all I complain about when my family - when I was growing up and now - is definitely in the "privileged" category!

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First, I realized how blessed I was to be one of the students that had an unfair advantage when it came to life. It was nothing that I had done, but all pertaining to the family and situation that I was born into. With that being said, I believe it opens my eyes from a teaching standpoint. I knew from the beginning of my career that God was calling me to a school with lower income population. I want to reach all students, and especially those students that start out already behind due to "life's circumstances." I want to show them how they can begin at an early age and beat the odds or the hand that they have been dealt. It also makes me love harder, especially students who are missing a mother/father figure or both. As Lindsey stated, I am thankful to have both types of students in my class!

Chelsea

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As a teacher, we all can see who is “privileged” within the first week of school. They come in with new clothes, a nice packed lunch and even extra materials for the class. These are typically your “high” kids. However, what I’ve noticed over the years that it’s your students that come in with no materials, no support at home, clothes too small, and never bring in snack that show the MOST growth during the school year. These kids work EXTREMELY hard regardless of their circumstances. They KNOW they have to unfortunately work extra hard to get where they want to be. However, I am thankful to have both types of students in my class. They have A LOT to learn from each other.

Lindsey

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This is a powerful illustration of the advantages a few of us get. I liked the point he made when he said that few of us would even acknowledge that we have nothing to do with our "lead" in life. I think the real "winners" are those that got left behind but STILL persevered and overcame despite their disadvantages.

Savannah Priest