The Lottery

I woke up yesterday to the best e-mail I have received in a long time: the movie I requested was finally available at my local library! It’s the little things...

I requested The Lottery, a movie that is supposed to be extremely similar to Waiting for Superman, except it actually came out first! My classmate had explained how her cousin helped in the making of The Lottery and how it was a great movie to view instead of Waiting for Superman. My roommate and I each requested one of the movies and mine happened to become available first!

The Lottery is an interesting film based in New York that discusses charter schools in the area and how communities have reacted to it. Throughout, there are interviews from educational professionals as well as parents of a few children who are hoping to win the lottery and get into Harlem Success, one of the best charter schools in the country. The documentary presents both sides of a community debate as well. Should a public school in Harlem that is performing poorly close and allow Harlem Success to use its building to allow expansion of another branch of their charter school? Madeleine Sackler does an exemplary job of  presenting both sides of this debate in a reasonable manner.

The film ends at the lottery. There, the viewer is able to see who is lucky enough to have their name drawn to enter Harlem Success. It is hard to not wish the best for each of the four children.

As I was watching this movie, and tearing up at particular moments, I realized that teaching is what I am meant to do. I want all children to grow up having a spectacular education -- they all deserve it.

I was fortunate enough to be selected for a KU Alternative Breaks trip over my spring break this year. My roommate, a fellow pre-service teacher, and I traveled to Chicago, IL with a group of 10 other students and volunteered in various schools in the city. I learned so much throughout the week, including how to really use public transportation! I worked with a kindergarten classroom and enjoyed meeting the children, teaching them subjects, and literally getting my hands dirty with paint! (The teacher I had been placed with had been gone for two weeks with a broken arm. The kids and I made a poster for him welcoming him back.) By the end of the short week, I was sad to say goodbye. I have to be honest with myself -- when am I ever going to see these kids again? I care so much for each and every one of them and wish them the best as they grow older.

I found many similarities with the area of Chicago in which I was placed with Harlem in the film. I feel as if I am a more understanding teacher having experienced this first-hand. I believe it is so important for educators to go to different areas and learn about different cultures and ways of life. It makes for a well-rounded human being.

So, little to say, I recommend The Lottery for all of you, teachers or not. It is a documentary on real life and is emotional, as well as educational. I have not seen Waiting for Superman yet, and intend on seeing it in the near future, once my roommate's request for the library comes in!

On another note, make sure you utilize your public library! I have said again and again that the Lawrence Public Library is the place I will miss most once I graduate and leave my homey college-town. The library gives you so much, and all for free! Movies, music, and of course an unlimited number of books. Why wouldn't you want to use it?