THE POWER OF EDUCATION

Submitted by Dr. Erica Pooler

My Phoebe story is about my great grandmother Lillie Mae Code. She was my saving grace when my parents were not ready to parent. She was born in 1918, and she raised us like it was 1918. In my early years of elementary school, I was taught many things by my great grandmother after she picked me up from Great Oaks Foster Home. I learned humility, discipline, humbleness, the power of education, wisdom, sacrifice, and encouragement.

One thing my grandmother would instill in me when sitting in the Florida Room (Why it is called that, I don’t know.) was reading Our Daily Breadissues. Grandma would say, “Make sure you go to school and get your education. It’s hard out here. Your education is the one thing that no one can take from you.” This statement rang clearly in my mind and I never lost sight of it.

Ironically, my great grandmother would tell me stories of how she only had a sixth-grade education because she had to work in the fields and pick cotton to make a living and help her family. She said that she was grateful to be able to read and write. Her parents were born in the 1800s and were not as lucky. My great-grandmother was a hard worker; she had good intentions and did very well for herself. Her heart was pure, and she raised the three generations, including me, to her best ability.

From a young age, I learned the power of education by watching my great-grandmother go in and out on the city bus to work for food and shelter as a maid. She made many sacrifices to care for three little girls that were not her responsibility. As parents and caretakers, you need to allow your children to see how you struggle to make ends meet and make teaching moments out of it. They need to truly see how education is the key to unlocking their greatest potential. Even if you struggle, show them where the money goes (rent, gas, water, lights, food, etc.). Education paves the way for employment and that is how it all gets paid, ultimately, through education.

Now, as a parent, educator, and mentor, I tell my children and students often: “Go to school; get an education; it’s the one thing no one can take from you.” I work with at-risk youth and troubled populations, and I still use the notions learned and observed by my Phoebe. I teach my students that if they are without good parents, they will need to learn to make sacrifices for themselves and spend more time on their personal growth, education, choice of friendships, learning self-discipline, and practicing not making excuses to fail.

My Phoebe taught and instilled the power of gratitude in me. I have learned to not give up on people who may be difficult to reach. I teach my children to discern who is there to help you and who is there to hurt you. For some reason, I have always prayed for wisdom and understanding, and I tell my students that “Book knowledge will take you far, but common sense will take your farther. Work on both.”

I also teach them to encourage themselves. If you do not have anyone to encourage you, pat yourself on the back and say, “Job well done.” I learned this later in my life and probably cheated myself out of many opportunities. There were several times when I lost my way, but I never strayed too far that I could not hear My Phoebe’s voice of reasoning in my subconscious reminding me that it’s okay if you have to stand alone. Sometimes you end up being the last one standing.

If all else fails, never forget the power of education!!!

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