don r. roberts elementary school

This afternoon I got the opportunity to go to the Don R. Roberts Elementary School dedication. Don Roberts is my grandfather and it was such a wonderful and emotional experience to be able to see my grandfather (I call him Papa) honored that way.

My Papa has been an educator his entire life. I never really knew just how much he had given to various school districts until this dedication ceremony. I was very proud to know how much he valued and demanded excellence from teachers and staff and how he felt that every child, no matter their socioeconomic status deserved a great education. This was especially meaningful to me since those exact principles have really been something that have been on my heart lately. Because of these new realizations I've decided to become an education minor and eventually work in a school setting. While I know that I'm never going to be a superintendent or a commissioner of education, I still feel like I'm able to somewhat pick up where he has left off and be the best teacher/counselor I can be by doing my best as an educator.

At this dedication ceremony they had a group of kids sing the school song, which was surprisingly emotional for me. It was a realization that these kids had their whole futures ahead of them and so much potential. Roberts elementary is now the biggest elementary school in the state of Arkansas. I know that kids that come through Roberts probably won't know anything about my Papa, but it's still beautiful to me that his legacy will remain through this school by the children that come out of it.