It does take a village

By Ron Moore

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It takes a village, Hillary Clinton once said. Aside from her politics, I agree with her concept that it is a combination of people who influence us in approaching our potential. But it is crucial who are in contact and what influence they impart.

Schools usually receive the most credit and also the most blame for child development. Their importance is without question. A gifted and perceptive teacher can inspire her students far beyond what learning the subject matter can do. The importance of the average effective teacher should not be depreciated but a master teacher can have a special positive impact on a child's education. It's not just the subjects, the learning, the testing and the degrees but what happens inside of a person that can develop new vistas, new determination to achieve and accomplish, new options in life. Many teachers spend personal time working with students who need and respond to one-on-one help; at the same time, the student gets to know an adult who is a success.

So, let us actually recognize and pay these talented master teachers, realizing they are among the most important professionals in our society. The new Iowa education improvement law attempts to do this but school districts must implement it fully and effectively.

Parents obviously have a huge opportunity to provide their children the basics of conduct, appreciation for the value and concerns of others - this can greatly enhance the interpersonal interaction, which facilitates learning. Parents can transmit the joy of reading and learning, and support, push and recognize success in their child's educational endeavors. Both one- and two-parent families can need help in nurturing their children - overworked, tired, and otherwise burdened and caring but inadequate parents need help with their children's development. Some children cope and succeed with little support - some fall behind, academically and socially.

So what about the village? There is a varied community of potential helpers - sometimes they can be approached by parents, sometimes those helpers must take the initiative. Sometimes third-party acquaintances must hook up the students with others who can best support them.

Relatives and friends can periodically invite children from broken homes into their home and family - if it is a successful family, that orientation and educational direction can be transmitted by association. Social workers can be invaluable and they know the territory. The church is a part of a big village that can be a positive influence and support.

Connections still must be made - the unsung among us can assist if we will. A service club businessman acts as a mentor to a once dropped-out non-traditional high school student. A grandmother helps a non-relative neighbor student with her homework.

Let's not forget fellow students at school. It is crucial which ones a child befriends. Obviously, this can be encouraged but complete control is impossible. School districts can set school boundaries to produce a diversified student body. How can a lower-income student communicate with the middle class for jobs in later life if he/she has never had a friend outside his/her social economic lifestyle?

For example, Polk Elementary was a great school but the student body was not diversified. In some elementary schools, older students act as big sisters/brothers to a shy younger student, helping them gain confidence as they tutor them.

The school community can offer opportunities for different skills and interests to excel and thereby develop proficiencies that will give them confidence and options that could be not especially academic - plays, athletics, music, art or service helping others. It could well be the combination of the academic skills such as writing or speaking with these special interests that propel a child to success.

So we should not despair if a child does not fit the success model we have for them, but let's encourage and support their progress to be a contributing adult. And let us help see that precious children, either of ours or others, are exposed to the entire village of those who can help and guide them toward their potential.

Ron Moore, a risk management consultant, is a former member and president of the Cedar Rapids Community School District Board of Education. Comments: reugenemoore@gmail.com