This discussion post is used in conjunction with EYPD Education courses. The purpose is to increase awareness on the specific topic that may coincide with courses.
In “Restoring the Promise of Public Education” the article tell about the leadership of Dr. Virgil Belue in changing his community. It was not easy and extremely challenging but his courage and love for his beliefs captured a community and state! In present day, Clinton is a very diverse community and the schools are flourishing thanks to him. Please read more about what he did in Clinton, MS. Read more!
This was an inspiring article. Today we are not fighting for integration. I feel we are fighting ourselves with no clear plan or path. We need clear initiatives and the professional development to support them. I feel we drift with the wind, swaying back and forth and never landing anywhere. We need vision and common sense to push us forward.
This is a wonderful article and a true success story. I believe we have come so far in public education, however, I am afraid recently we have lost sight of the true focus in an ocean of tests and paper work!
I 100% agree with you! I wish we could just teach kids, not tests. There are so many things we rush through or skip over that could benefit the students, but we can’t slow down because we have to finish the pacing guide before testing.
Wow!!! Dr. Virgil Belue is an inspiration!!! Who says that Mississippi cannot excel in education? This article is a prime example of how strong faith and determination can reap success. The school had realistic problems in the beginning, just like any other. The difference is Dr. Belue had values that he remained steadfast in. He shared his expectations and he required that teachers, students, and members of the community to reach them. I absolutely loved this story!!!! I’m definitely going to use this as food for my thoughts to create change in my school.
This article is really inspiring!! I am so proud I was able to send my children to a wonderful school district. Being that I am not from around here this article really taught me a lot about Clinton and its school district. It taught me how Clinton School District really became successful and continuing to grow. I love how he inspired the schools to be about the community and not the neighborhoods. I love how Dr. Belue wants everyone to be treated the same and fair regardless of their race and learning ability. Everyone is held to the same standards.
The integration story is not what really caught my attention here. It’s the fact that he proved that what I’ve been saying for years is 100% true. Students will reach the bar you set for them. It WILL take time and patience, but they can and will do it. It seems like current legislation wants us to constantly bring down the bar so we don’t let anyone fail or fall behind. Every time they lower the bar, the students give less and less effort because they realize they CAN. If we raise that bar and say, “we are going to get there, and we are going to do it together,” our students will pull each other up to reach it. Clinton has proven that.
As a former teacher in the Clinton Public School District, I can honestly say that this article is 100% factual. Upon entering the halls of any school in CPSD, students become ARROWS. Whether the student begins in kindergarten at Clinton Park, or transfers into the district, as my own kids did, the students are taught that they are a part of something amazing BEING A CLINTON ARROW. This strong bond breaks down racial barriers. Students are taught that they are all valuable and equally intelligent. In the article, Dr. Belue was quaoted as saying, “Our success has to be that we work together, get along together, and have respect for one another,” and this is amazingly true! I am proud to live in Clinton, and that my children are forming strong relationships with fellow students from very diverse cultures and backgrounds!
What an incredible story of perseverance in the face of adversity! I have visited Clinton several times and it is a beautiful, thriving area! I love the story of how diversity helped the students and the community to thrive.