Tuba CIty Impressions

The following are some of my impressions after attending a second grade class, in Tuba City Boarding school. I chose the class because my granddaughter is in second grade. Much of the focus was on reading and I believe that all the second grades were using the same reading curriculum. They spent most of the morning on reading and spelling and each week the children were tested on comprehension, spelling and other reading related skills. The children used a beautiful library with lots of computers. While I was there, the children used the computers to test themselves on library books that they had recently read.

When I think about my experience in the Tuba City Boarding School, I am reminded of the overwhelming obstacles that the teachers have to deal with beyond their jobs as teachers. Their students come from families where incomes can be as low as $7,000 a year. Parents know little about budgeting money for family needs or basic parenting information. It takes all day to take your child to a simple dental cleaning. Few parents have time or the inclination to come to parent/teacher conferences.

The second grade teacher, in whose class we participated, worked tirelessly to teach her students to read, to participate in science projects, and to have an opportunity to have a better life. She was there early in the morning and there late in the afternoon doing all she could. Her students are blessed by her faith in them and her tireless energy.

I went to the cafeteria and saw what the children had for meals. The food was part of the National School Lunch Program. There were lots of carbohydrates but little fresh fruit and vegetables. I asked myself who is the beneficiary of this food. Certainly the large agricultural farms benefit more that the children.

The children were participating in an exercise class as obesity and diabetes are huge problems in the Navajo nation. But if all people can afford in inexpensive fast food and all the kids get in school in high carbohydrates, how can you expect to have anything but these problems. Furthermore, there were no jump ropes or balls on the playgrounds.

Peggy Gardiner
Advisor