I currently teach at Clippert Academy, which is a Detroit Public School located on the city's Southwest side. Today, March 10th, my school held its annual Ethnic Luncheon and Classroom Door decorating contest featuring a country of choice. It was so fun and exciting, even more exciting for me because it was my first time participating in all the activities. Just to see everyone working together and the students collaborating to make their classroom's door look like a winner was one of those moments that made me glad to be a DPS teacher.

You see, what happened at my school today had nothing to do with politics, budgets, and in-fighting among grown-ups: just old-fashioned creativity put into action. I witnessed students using a wide-variety of artistic, mathematical, reading, research, social studies, and science skills, in addition to improving teamwork skills in an effort to complete a major task.

All over my school district, there are so many projects and events going on like this every month: Family Reading Nights, Science Fairs, Daddy-Daughter Dances, Show-and-Tell, Dress Up Like a Book Character, and more. I recommend that my colleagues use the blessing of social media to promote the good that lies within the Detroit Public Schools...in other words, if your school is doing something well, tell it!

My name is Erica M Dean. I'm in DPS...Are you?
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Erica M Dean
Clippert Academy, A Detroit Public School
5th / 6th Split Homeroom