"Why Open A School? To Close A Prison"

Nadia Lopez, founding Principal of Mott Hall Bridges Academy, speaks about the need for teachers today to instill hope and purpose inside our students. Without these two things, our students will stop learning. When our students stop learning, what do you think happens to them?

Many students will choose the wrong path, wrong people ,etc, but being surrounded by educators who love and support them has the power to change that. We need teachers that are willing to see beyond where a student may come from. These teachers must be able to teach with empathy and understanding with regards to students from disadvantaged families or communities. 

Principal Lopez, along with Rita Pierson, have furthered my inspiration to work with disadvantaged communities as a teacher. Those kids-the ones that do not go home to sunshine and rainbows every day-are the ones that need that extra love and push. Those kids are the ones that have the potential to do great things in life. I recently came across an article that said, "Students who suffer from trauma, and those with mental health issues are not not throw away kids that we toss to the side. They are children who have the potential to do great things in life. That is not a political statement...it is a reality.”

It's these students, that come from impoverished communities and homes that often exhibit these behaviors. We cannot let their circumstances define them.