Touching Story in Springfield

This story in Springfield's New Leader , portrays Weller school in a poor Springfield neighborhood, making things work. The principles, the teachers, and the students are all aware they are in a poorer school, with 86 percent of students get free and reduced lunches- one way of measuring if the children are living in poverty. However, the school is making progress and the students are benefiting. While having great academic progress every year has its challenges in Title I schools because of the issues children may deal with at home, the teachers take what they are given and have created a great learning and emotionally gratifying environment for these children.

It seems "Weller is an example of a school where teachers and students take pride in their educational community. It's also a place where poverty has a definite impact on the lives of the students."

But for all the challenges, Monroe said, Weller teachers and staff are committed to seeing students achieve. And that commitment and belief in the kids pays off.
"Kids, for the most part, will rise to your expectations," she said.
And that's one thing that's not at all hard to see.

It goes to show that teachers can make all the difference in the lives of the children. These teachers really care about the children, and the evidence is there.