First Lady Michelle Obama working to make

education an option for all students

The goal of secondary education to many children is just as fantastical as Wall·E, the latest big screen robot. Without parents or other immediate family members to introduce them to the merits of higher education, they are disillusioned and unaware of the options available to them. This lack of knowledge is evident particularly in urban environments, despite the existence of some of the best universities in cities like Cleveland, Chicago, New York and other urban centers.

The disconnect that exists between institutions of higher learning and communities in their backyards is central to First Lady Michelle Obama's efforts as it relates to the education of America's children.

Recently the First Lady delivered the commencement speech at the University of California at Merced where she commended the students for their perseverance in achieving their goals of obtaining a college education, as well as their efforts to bring her to their university. “There are few things that are more rewarding than to watch young people recognize that they have the power to make their dreams come true, and you did just that. Your perseverance and creativity were on full display in your efforts to bring me here to Merced for this wonderful occasion,” Obama said.
Additionally she urged the students to pass on their skills of perseverance and to commit to ensuring that they share their experiences with the youth following them, particularly by making them aware of the opportunities that exist at universities like UC Merced.

As a young girl growing up on the South Side of Chicago, the First Lady explained that she came from circumstances similar to many of those graduating. Mrs. Obama grew up in a working class community where her dad worked for the City of Chicago Water Department and her mom stayed home to care for her two children. Just as many of the graduates were the first to attend college in their families, the First Lady and her brother were the first in their immediate family to go off to college.

Without a connection to the University of Chicago, which was only a few miles from her home, the First Lady traveled to Princeton to receive her undergraduate degree because, “when it came time for me to apply to college, I never for one second considered the university in my own backyard as a viable option.”

Many years later when an opportunity arose, the First Lady accepted a position in student affairs at the University of Chicago and began the process of helping develop a connection between the University and children in the nearby communities.

She said, “What I found was that working within the institution gave me the opportunity to express my concerns about how little role the university plays in the life of its neighbors. I wanted desperately to be involved in helping to break down the barriers that existed between the campus and the community.”

Her perseverance paid off and within a year, she was part of a team that established the university's first Office of Community Service. Today, she said, “the office continues to provide students with opportunities to help reshape relationships between the university and its surrounding community. Students there today are volunteering in local elementary schools, serving as mentors at high schools, organizing neighborhood watches, and worshiping in local churches.”

During her remarks, the First Lady highlighted some of the many similar efforts at Merced from the junior psychology major who tutors local children, and the professor working to bring physicists into local classrooms – all efforts at forging a connection between today's youth and tomorrow's Merced graduates.

Of these efforts she said, “It is this kind of commitment that we're going to need in this nation to put this country back on a path where every child expects to succeed and where every child has the tools that they need to achieve their dreams.”

While higher education is important, Obama has also focused attention on elementary aged students, in an effort to promote the importance and joy associated with learning at an early age.

Earlier this month during a visit to Ferebee-Hope Elementary School the First Lady read Ray Cruz's "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" to the students. After reading, she asked the students to comment on the book and to think about a very bad day they had experienced. Throughout the exchange, the First Lady offered examples of her experiences with bad days personally, and as a mother, how she helps her daughters through difficult situations.
One student questioned whether the job of First Lady was hard, to which she replied no, that it was really a lot like being a mom “except a lot of people are watching what you do.” She explained that her visit with them was fun, and reminded her of spending time and reading to her daughters.

Reading to the students and to her daughters is fun and important said the First Lady because, “I want you all to be good readers, and to love learning and to love books, because it just makes life easier for you and it's more fun when you learn how to read.  So I like my job because I get to come and see you all and talk to you all. And that's the best part of my day.”