This is a pretty terrible picture, but on the left on the big screen and on the right, brightly illuminated, you can see former Domus Academy student Rashid Whitley addressing the 500+ guests at the annual Teach For America CT dinner at the Greenwich Hyatt last night. TFAer and 2nd-year DA teacher Stephanie Sun also wowed the crowd with an inspiring and funny speech about what it was like to start a school from scratch. (Hint: Very interesting!)
But it was Rashid, more than another other speaker (sorry, Governor!), who brought home what transformational education is all about. Rashid started Domus Academy as "Ra-Ra," as he was known: lacking confidence and not interested in being known for academic success. Ra-Ra was not exactly on the path to big success. But with the persistence of DA staff, Ra-Ra realized he had it in him to be successful. He became highly focused on his grades, "stuffing [his] pockets with review sheets." He became Rashid: a student recognized for high academic achievement who believed in himself and knew he had a future.
Rashid reminded us why schools like Domus Academy and efforts like Teach For America are not just important but vital.
We must reach every student.
Every student can be reached.
We must never give up.
If we don't, we will miss turning Ra-Ras into Rashids, and Rashids can change the world.
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