After reading my friend Ms. G's blog Closing the Gap in NYC I feel sick, but not so sick from reading her story, although it did affect me significantly. I'm feeling sick because I don't believe that it is fair that I teach where I teach and she teaches where she does. I cannot fathom the polar opposite experiences we're having. I can't believe that the culture of poverty is such a perverse force. I cannot believe that schools such as hers exist without the proper attention, funding, and staff.

I stress out about not having a laptop, that I'm stuck with an old clunker of a desktop, and that I therefore cannot use powerpoint during lectures, that I had to buy a DVD player for my room, that I can't work in my lovely and relaxing room, but rather, that I must work in my sterile office. These are the drawbacks of working for a fabulous district with the most amazingly supportive coworkers, mentors, staff, parents and administration.

When a kid is late more than 3 times to my class I can write a referral and they will come in and wash desks for me in the morning or do time at Saturday School. If a kid gets really out of hand and is insubordinate and swears under his breath he is put into ISS the next day. I couldn't ask for better support as a first year teacher. I had kids bring in projects today that included a To Kill a Mockingbird videogame, a DVD re-enactment of major scenes from the book, and soapcarvings just like Boo Radley did.

How is this fair that I get this and Ms. G gets blood on her walls, fights, and no computer at all, let alone a laptop. Honestly, I agree with her - the system is failing. The system is failing her students, but sometimes I think mine, too.

My students bask in the glow of the big Homecoming game, dress-up days, and getting their driver's licenses. They'll tramp off to a private college in a few years, or perhaps even, gasp, a state college or university. They have no clue what the world holds outside of their bubble. Their idea of poverty is someone who is on reduced lunch. Ms. G's kids deserve what mine have, but they would have so much more perspective than do most of my Abercrombie and Fitch clad students. Money can't by experience, it can't buy resolve, and it can't buy perspective.