Notes from Public School

 Kids are observant.

They watch what you do more than listen to what you say.

The students at my school often ask me about two artifacts - one in my classroom and one on my lanyard.

The artifact in my classroom is a picture of a handshake between my friend Momadu and I when I lived in Mali in west Africa.

Kids look at it closely.

“Hmmm,” say students like Jeremiah, “I notice your hand is white and your friend’s hand is black.”

“Yep,” I respond, “We are good friends.”

And in that moment, I become a civil rights worker.

“Mr. Barton believes we should all be equal, no matter the color of our skin,” they tell each other.

I do.

The other artifact on my lanyard is a small button  that says, “No human is illegal.”

Kids look at it closely, too.

“You really believe that, Mr. Barton?” ask students like Daniel, whose family came to Berea from the farms and fields of Mexico.

“Yep,” I answer. “I’m glad you’re here and I’m here for you.”

And in that moment I become a human rights worker.

“Mr. Barton cares for everybody, no matter where they come from,” they tell each other.

I do.

So I walk out of my school building this afternoon a humble teacher.

And so much more.