To the teachers of my grandson, Dylan,

I write this letter for the sake of Dylan, who, like his peers, will be arriving at your school in September filled with the usual anxieties, fears and hopes, dreams and questions.

I remember my own reasons for becoming a teacher. It was a long-held dream based on the special impact someone else had on my life. Do you recall that remarkable human being that inspired you, challenged you, encouraged you and supported you, and saw you as you really were?

I am worried that many of us in our schools have lost sight of that initial passion we once brought with us when we walked into our classrooms for the first time. I listen to the stories of the nearly 20% of our students who drop out of our schools each year, through our efforts to re-engage them and get them back on track. These students believe that no one cared about them, and that their learning was not relevant to them. Is this what Dylan will be feeling?

In my role working with teachers, I hear a worrisome shift in the tone of the conversations among teachers. Are we getting too caught up in the political climate that envelopes education? Are we becoming distracted or even consumed by the decisions of our politicians and the ever-changing moods and whims of the voters?

Are you really ready for Dylan? He lives in a different world. He is not the same learner as his father, my son. My grandson is a digital resident, he multi-tasks, has a short attention span, little tolerance for boredom or low level thinking tasks, and he is unaware of his impact in this world. Are you ready for him? Do you have the new skills and knowledge to implement this change? How many of you really are life-long learners?

What do I hope for Dylan? When he leaves our schools, he will see his place in the world and know that his voice is heard; that he is connected to the world, has confidence in his ability to solve problems, make mistakes, and participate as a global citizen. Is this not the dreams and hopes of any parent or grandparent? I ask you, as Dylan’s teachers to remember how important your role is in shaping and activating these goals in our children.

Finally, my appeal is personal. Don’t give up on Dylan or any of his classmates. Get to know my grandson well. Understand why he may come to you with biases or attitudes that challenge you. Learn what inspires him and he will do amazing things. Care about him, so that he cares about himself and others. It is what every student deserves.

Brenda Courey