School is underway, as is one of the back-to-school traditions — Meet the Teacher Night. As I put this event on my calendar, it reminded me of an amazing speech I heard in August at the Richardson Chamber of Commerce’s New Teachers Luncheon — one about how teachers can make a difference.
Judge Tonya Parker, 116th Civil District Judge in Dallas County, began her remarks by talking in generalities about the importance of teacher quality. She posed that teachers — not merely access to education — may be the key to providing students who come from many backgrounds the greatest opportunity for success. She pointed to research that demonstrates how effective teachers help students achieve a year’s growth academically, versus ineffective teachers who don’t. As an education advocate, I could listen to this type of talk for hours. Effective teachers are a critical element to students’ success. But then Judge Parker took her remarks to another level . . .
She talked about her own experience, in Richardson ISD. Come to find out, she attended Dobie Elementary, Northwood Junior High and Richardson High schools. She shared how her family moved to Dallas from Chicago when she was young, in hopes of a better life. Despite the move, her father continued to find trouble, which had an influence on her own self-esteem. She talked about her family issues as “noise” between her ears — a distraction to her learning — and noted that many RISD students also struggle with this same “noise.”
For Judge Parker, it was specific teachers who helped quiet this “noise” and allow her to achieve success. She spoke about an elementary school physical education teacher who signed her up for her first track meet and the influence his belief in her had on her confidence. She spoke about a junior high teacher who helped her see herself as not just an athlete, but also a scholar. There was also a high school coach that taught her to never think anyone is better than her, despite their address or material possessions.