On the Way to School

Did you ever watch a show or documentary that changed the way you thought about life?

I’m a Netflix documentary junkie. I love that I can watch Netflix and feel like I am bettering myself by learning something (I mean, we have to balance out OITNB with something educational, right?). So the other night I started watching “On the Way to School.” This documentary made me think twice about what I take for granted.

As a teacher, I have devoted myself to lifelong learning. Even as a child, I always valued education thanks to my parents’ instillation of this view within me. School was always important, and my grades always came first. However, I’m human. I’ve complained and whined about how “hard” school was, especially in the upper grades. I’ve prayed for a snow day. Even now, as a teacher, I have my moments when I complain about how tough things are or about how much I need a day off.

But then I watched this documentary. It follows four different children from four different countries. The documentary is literally just about their walks to school. I was floored.

The children from Kenya walk about two hours every morning just to get to school. They were almost attacked by elephants on the way, spilled their water, and walked through blazing heat . . . all while smiling through it because they were grateful for the opportunity to get an education. Each child from each country walked at least 1.5 hours every day just to get to school. I was shocked. I started asking myself: would I do this to get an education? I also started thinking about how much we take for granted in this country.

I live literally four blocks from our school . . . and I drive to work every day. Can you imagine what these kids would think if they lived a few blocks from school? They would be so appreciative, but I complain about having to trudge outside to my car in the snow to clean off my car.

This show made me realize that even though I value education, I take it for granted sometimes. I take it for granted that we have easy, equal access to education in our country. I take it for granted that the journey to school for my students and I is nowhere near a two hour hike on foot. I take for granted the power of education, as many of us do.

Sometimes it takes Netflix to open up your eyes, as silly as that sounds. This year, when I am complaining about not finding an ideal parking space or about having to walk twenty feet to my car in the rain, I am pretty sure I will picture those kids walking in Kenya or riding for an hour and a half in Argentina.

Thank you again, Netflix, for reminding me of what a big world it is out there and about how little I really understand about it.

Lindsay Detwiler, Voice of Innocence