view points

It's easy to see the world from only one view point, because we only have one set of eyes. I believe this is why it is all too easy to favor one group of people over another. People like to group themselves based on commonality and familiarity. This however presents a problem when you are faced with a different type of culture or people because you group them as others and then treat them differently.  The only way to appreciate the differences of others is to see the world from their eyes. That is why it is so important to read about the experiences of a black feminist or a white privileged woman, because without hearing their stories they just become people to group as others.

Teacher of the year

One of Albuquerque’s own teachers was recently voted “National Teacher of the Year” by her peers in a large scale contest led by the Department of Education.  This contest was endorsed by President Obama and the First Lady in their hopes to motivate citizens to select a Career in Education instead of the more economical Business option.  

Sarah Dixon is a 3^rd  grade Teacher at Atrisco Elementary located in Albuquerque’s South Valley.  This is a heavily Hispanic community that has been influenced by economic disparity and social injustice.  In fact, the recent population growth has outgrown the current facilities for this community.  This is where Sarah Dixon comes in.  After graduating from CNM’s certificate program, Sarah immediately gained employment at Atrisco Elementary where she introduced herself to the Spanish language in order to gain a better perspective on the community.  

The principal of Atrisco, Mr. Gorge Ramirez, noticed “how passionate Sarah is when it comes to connecting with her students. She really puts in the extra effort to make them feel comfortable and respected.”   Over the next few years that Sarah taught at Atrisco, she wanted to help out in a bigger way, so she designed a bi-lingual after school reading program to benefit children who were struggling.  “I noticed a great improvement with Johnny and his reading after a few months,” says Crystal Pedras, mom of a struggling student.  “I’m a single mom so I don’t have the time to read to him like I want and having him stay an extra hour after school let’s me get more work done.” 

Sarah designed the program with one goal in mind “to improve the lives of children who often get overlooked.”   It was an instant success with parents, students, and even her colleagues, who have also devoted their after hours to help with the growing program.  “Sarah has such charisma when it comes to teaching that it was hard not to get involved too.” Said Mrs. Johnson, a 4^th grade teacher at  Atricso.  One of Sarah’s students, Lupita Gonzales (age 7), said “Ms. Dixon let’s us pick out books I like reading because it’s more fun that way.”

The program not only helps children receive the essential building blocks they need to thrive in this world but it also provides snacks before the reading begins, which is “very important because many of these children simply don’t get enough to eat at home, so concentrating becomes difficult when they have empty bellies,” says Sarah.  The snacks are donated by small businesses from the community. 

“This whole collaboration has made the school a better place, and we have Sarah to thank for it” said Mr. Ramirez, “and that is why she was selected for teacher of the year.”