Archive for December 1st, 2008

By Elizabeth Spiker

I have been telling this story to a few people for years now. I’d like to share it with everyone because, quite simply, it will make you believe in people. We could all use a story like that.

A few years ago, I was teaching English at Steel Valley High School. For those who don’t know, it’s a small school district serving Munhall, Homestead and West Homestead. Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch is one of Steel Valley’s most famous alums. The kids all walk. There are no buses from the school district. The kids are a mixed bag of black, white and Asian and come from varying economic backgrounds. While no one I ever taught came from a “wealthy” family, I did teach many poor students for whom school was often a safe haven from their home lives.

When I would tell people my livelihood, they would often say, “My, I couldn’t ever teach school! Kids today are just awful.” Or, “Surrounded by teenagers all day? No thanks!”

[ Full story available at: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08336/931924-294.stm ]