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Ms. Todd: We’re going to name our hermit crab. What name do you like, Kathleena? Kathleena: Turtle. Kids: Turtle? She said turtle. MS. TODD SPENT MOST OF THE SUMMER SETTLING INTO A NEW HOUSE WITH HER HUSBAND AND SETTING UP HER CLASSROOM. Ms. Todd: Just a minute. I’m going to let you tell me anything that you know about the ocean. Alright? Boy: It’s a lot of sharks in the ocean. Ms. Todd: Sharks live in the ocean, don’t they? That’s exactly right. MS. TODD READILY ADMITS SHE DOESN’T KNOW MUCH ABOUT TEACHING READING, SO SHE’LL HAVE TO LEARN ON THE FLY. Jill: Knowing that I'm responsible and these are my children, it makes me nervous. I guess maybe their future is in my hands. The planning and everything that’s gonna help them learn is all up to me. SHE SOON SEES HOW MUCH HELP MOST OF HER SECOND GRADERS WILL NEED. Ms. Todd: Can you read this? Let’s… Kathleena: Let’s… KATHLEENA LEE READS FIRST. Kathleena: Let’s go… Ms. Todd: Froggie. Willie: Fwae… Ms. Todd: Look at me. Wa- oak… Willie: Wake… oak. Ms. Todd: Not- Froggie woke… Boy: Birds, butterflies, flowers… THESE KIDS ARE GROWING UP IN THE MISSISSIPPI DELTA. IT'S HOME TO BLUESMEN ROBERT JOHNSON, MUDDY WATERS, AND B.B. KING. KING GREW UP IN A FAMILY OF SHARECROPPERS, AND FOR MANY FAMILIES HERE, LIVING CONDITIONS ARE STILL BLEAK. Mr. Barnes: The majority of kids who attend my school district are from poor families, who are living in Third World situations, who don’t have running water, who don’t have a restroom in the house, who still has an outhouse. SUMNER DREW NATIONAL ATTENTION IN 1955, WHEN AN ALL-WHITE JURY ACQUITTED THE MEN WHO HAD LYNCHED 14-YEAR-OLD EMMETT TILL. MOST WHITE FAMILIES SEND THEIR KIDS TO PRIVATE ACADEMIES, AND THERE’S NOT MUCH MONEY, OR MUCH POLITICAL WILL, TO HELP THE CHILDREN AT BEARDEN. Mr. Barnes: These kids deserve better. And if these kids don't get an adequate education, they will not do better. That's why the value of the education is so important. WHEN REGGIE BARNES ARRIVED AS SUPERINTENDENT SIX YEARS AGO, BEARDEN ELEMENTARY WAS ON PROBATION. Mr. Barnes: …you’re riding what bus number? 881. Okay? THE TEST SCORES WERE AMONG THE LOWEST IN THE STATE. MR. BARNES HAS WORKED OBSESSIVELY TO IMPROVE THE ODDS FOR KIDS HERE. Barnes: I have neglected my own children. I have neglected the rest of my family. There have been many a day where I would be in this office as early as 6:30 in the morning and not leave until 10, 11, sometimes 12 at night. MR. BARNES MOUNTED A REMARKABLE FUND DRIVE THAT ALLOWED THE SCHOOL TO BUILD A HEALTH CLINIC, SOME NEW CLASSROOMS, AND A BADLY NEEDED PLAYGROUND. Reggie: Hit it, hit it, just keep hittin it. BUT ACADEMICALLY, BEARDEN HAS IMPROVED ONLY VERY SLOWLY. THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IS FINDING QUALIFIED TEACHERS WHO ARE WILLING TO WORK IN THIS RURAL DISTRICT … WHERE THE STARTING SALARY IS JUST $20,000. AS THE SCHOOL YEAR BEGINS, MR. BARNES STILL HAS JOBS TO FILL. |
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© 2003 WETA/Reading Rockets. All rights reserved. Photo Credit for Bearden Elementary: Maude Schuyler Clay |
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