It had been about four years since I had completed the Teach For America program and “went corporate”. I had still been courting my wife and we were spending a Wednesday night at the world famous Apollo Theatre in Harlem. Even though it was where Stevie Wonder, James Brown, and Michael Jackson began their careers, as we entered all I could think of was “Wow…it looks so much bigger on TV”. Then, as the usher is walking over to show us to our seats, he exclaims, “Hey Mr. O whaaaat uuuuup!!!”
It caught me a bit off guard at first. I had no idea who this tall gentleman was. After looking past the chiseled features and overwhelming height the light bulb went off: Billy* from my 8th grade science class! I asked how his family was and he replied they were all doing fine. Then I inquired about his job at the Apollo.
“Oh c’mon Mr.O this is just part time. I’m on a full ride at City College doing Comp Sci!”
That really made my day. Heck it made my week. Unfortunately most kids don’t wind up like Billy as US high school drop out rates are climbing to well over 50%. Are we doing everything we can? According to a variety of sources we are not digitizing where it is needed the most: the classroom.
*names have been changed
