That sigh is not a response of ingratitude, on the contrary, it’s a genuine expression of exhaustion and submission. I submit because I welcome the challenge put before me with clear exhaustion.. Yet the early lessons of my faith is, just wait, you will see, the rewards will be OUT OF THIS WORLD.. because it is after all, divinity and nothing can match that. What God has in store for me will never be better than what this world can offer. TRUST.
Soon it will be a year that I have NOT taught my craft in the high school I have worked for the 15 years, The High School of Fashion Industries, and I have been subjected to teaching out of license in a school that reminded me of the OTHER 99% of students that attend NYC public high school students. These are the students, mostly of color, underserved and underrepresented, underfunded and forgotten.. the ‘fallen through the cracks’ scholars that may soon drop out and become a part of our society’s PROBLEMS.
But one line I always kept in my heart, Frederick Douglass, Abolitionist and Orator’s words, ‘It is easier to build Strong Children than to repair Broken Men.’ And I fear this is where the NYC Public School system is headed.. its failing to build, leaving our future society to repair.
It’s as if we are allowing this current public education system to handpick the few and neglect the rest, although there are many great opportunities existing for our students, the FEW get to prosper and the rest of our Black and Brown students get the crumbs. Failing schools are expected to perform without the resources our children need, while ‘special’ schools have the latest technologies and instruction.
I am in my 23rd year as an educator and I am tired so what to do? Not give up.
The past couple of weeks I have been a part of an interesting program sponsored by PURSUIT.org and the UFT where teachers are chosen to learn and build solutions in the digital form through the use of AI as a tool. What I have learned in 3 weeks time has been mind-blowing!
I went from not knowing A THING about AI to building an APP for the very students I love!
I want all of my students to know, not so much the now adult ones.. but the young ones that there are answers to life’s major choices.. and all you need to do is do your Homework! YES! I know it’s priceless coming from a teacher but yes… the answers are now at the touch of a button.. because I built an APP for them, for the at-risk kids.. the ones we are collectively failing.. answer 5 simply questions – Your race, Your gender, Your income background, Your location, big city, suburbs, etc AND the state YOU live in and BAM! The stats are there! And in Español, porque el lenguaje de mi abuela y mis estudiantes hispanos no puede faltar!
When it comes to school, 4 year, community college, trade school, when it comes to careers, salary vs. pay by the hour, public vs. private.. should you get married now, have a child young, what are the stats?? How do you rate among your peers racially? Because the real world takes your race and your gender into account and how risky is it? Is it better to go this route or that route? I know it is A LOT, but I can honestly say that if I had this tool when I was young, I know I would’ve made different choices.. but I guess I didn’t turn out that bad after all..
The APP is named LifeLens. AI came up with the name and I actually like it.. I am building a digital relationship with my agent Claude and so far I am impressed with it. They are alright.. so far.
Tell me what you think about it?! I welcome the feedback!
Rosa Isabel Chavez 