At a reception early this week honoring black “Men of Influence,” former DeKalb Schools Superintendent Michael Thurmond told a rapt audience about the moment he discovered his father couldn’t read or write.
Thurmond said that although his father couldn’t spell Mississippi and therefore didn’t have the wherewithal to help him with his homework, he’d been “present” in his life.
It was a heartwarming story told to make a point: “Present” parents produce academically successful students and, apparently, successful men and women.
There's no need arguing that Thurmond and the other honorees at the annual Atlanta Business League's induction ceremony are successful. In addition to helping the DeKalb school district upgrade its accreditation status and improving academic performance and graduation rates, Thurmond has served in the Georgia General Assembly, led the state Division of Family and Children Services and was elected labor commissioner.
His recognition by the ABL isn't a first. On Tuesday, he was named winner of the organization's Legacy Award during a ceremony at Atlanta Metropolitan State College. In 2007, he was named a Man of Influence.
Both were well deserved: Thurmond and the others have left indelible marks both on metro Atlanta and the black community, in particular.
They made it. And, in Thurmond’s case, against great odds.
It’s in his acceptance speech that we learn the reason — parents who were present. The crowd broke loose with loud applause and a standing ovation.
But Thurmond was preaching to the choir, a room full of high achievers who I’ll bet have a great appreciation for education if nothing else.
It’s very unlikely any parent of a low-achieving student was, well, present. Not in this room of well-heeled attendees.
Suffice it to say Thurmond wasn’t completely wrong about his assessment.
As the parent of two college graduates, I know the value of attentive parents and the unmistakable impact that can have on a child’s academic success.
Even if you never attended school a day in your life and can’t help with homework, it’s important to make sure students make the effort and, if they’re not making the grade, to help figure out why and what needs to be done to bring them at least up to par.
I still get goosebumps remembering the mother who lamented her high school daughter couldn't read even though she had been passed from one grade to the next by those cheating Atlanta Public Schools teachers. Talk about passing the buck.
But this is where Thurmond and I part company.
Absentee parent doesn’t necessarily mean absent parent. Those parents who weren’t in the room the other night are the same ones who don’t get to take time off with pay. They often lack transportation to schools or can’t afford child care. Some don’t feel welcome or simply don’t know how to navigate the system.
Thurmond suggested that all a parent needs to do is be present, but what exactly does that mean? What does that look like? Is it the parent who regularly shows up for parent-teacher conferences? Is it the one who never dots the schoolhouse door but tries to help with homework? Or is it both?
It means showing concern, Thurmond said. It means being engaged.
“Simply asking a kid what happened at school today,” he said. “The fact that you asked the question sends a powerful message to the child that school’s important.”
What he was trying to say in those few minutes was that educating kids is that complicated.
“What children really need to know is that they are loved, that their parents are concerned,” he said.
Teachers and administrators are quick to blame poverty, inadequate funding and absentee parents for student failure. There’s no arguing that all of those things put children at a disadvantage, but here’s the problem with that line of thinking.
Some educators — African-Americans, in particular — have been breaking through those barriers since time eternal. Even when it was against the law, we found a way to educate ourselves. Why can’t we do that now?
I know times have changed. I’ve heard many a teacher lament that fact. But I also know, from experience, that not every teacher before a classroom can teach let alone inspire learning.
If a parent is present enough to send Johnny back to school in a few weeks, can’t they at least expect that much in return?
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