Be the Change
By Monica Consalvo, Port Jefferson School District, NY

There are 1,440 minutes in this day, spend some of them making a difference.

On January 20, 2008, the nation got ready to set forth on a new path. President Obama called out, in his inauguration address, for each one of us to be the change. As the director of the film "Notorious" said, "We can't change the world unless we change ourselves."

Education in the 21st century is more than teaching the "3'R's". All educators need to be willing to step up and help promote the change. One way educators can accomplish this goal is to encourage a more reflective classroom. "Each day the future walks into our classrooms." That is a heavy cross to bear. We need not only to teach our students how to count 1, 2, 3, but also provide them with the knowledge and insight on how to be better "humans"

We must start small, so that we do not become overwhelmed. What about simply choosing a "search engine" that give backs to charity? Each time you search a percentage is awarded to a charity. Let us be the change!
http://www.goodsearch.com/

What about increasing our student's vocabulary and feeding the hungry at the same time? By logging onto www.freerice.com , students have the opportunity to not only learn a new word, but provide 10 grains of rice throughout the UN World Food Program.

Even a simple "click" on a website can help feed a hungry child or adult. Each time you click on this website, the sponsors agree to provide money to end world hunger.
http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=1

The value of education is priceless. Each minute of the 1,440 that are ticked away each day can be one of promise and change. As educators, we need to help inspire the future generation, that Yes, they too can be the change. Yes, even though they may only be five, seven or ten, they can make a difference in the world today.

Monica A. Consalvo
-Educator, Port Jefferson Middle School, Port Jefferson, New York
mconsalv@portjeff.k12.ny.us