Keep Pushing

“It’s time for us to mobilize.” Keep Pushing Mashanda Scott Elementary School Teacher, Head Start Director “I love the idea of constantly learning.” With a Political Science major and Educational Psychology minor, Ms. Mashanda Scott surprised her mentors, family and teachers when she pursued a career in the classroom instead of the courtroom. Now, with over 15 years of experience as an early childhood and elementary school teacher, she is reflecting on the educators who influenced her, the eye-opening inequities that exist within the system, and the crucial moments in her life that inspire her to keep pushing. “Our country is not designed for people of color, let alone the education system being designed for our babies.” As a 3rd grade teacher, Ms. Scott speaks to the problematic nature of standardized testing, the Classroom to Prison Pipeline, and how she’s had to combat the demand to teach to the test (including a real life Matilda moment!). After unpacking all of the factors involved in education (teachers, money, curriculum…), she raises an important (yet often overlooked question): where are the kids in the conversation? In spite of the challenges that exist, Mashanda is done complaining and wants to focus on action and mobilization as we continue to love the students, and parents, that we serve.