Let the Little Light Shine is a very emotional story of David and Goliath about a prestigious school grappling with racism and gentrification. The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) closed down 49 underperforming learning centers in 2013, including National Teacher’s Academy (NTA), an K-8th grade school that had received the highest possible Level 1+ academic certification based in South Loop. NTA’s parents, students, and committed teachers fought for their school over a five-year limit as documented by documentary filmmaker Kevin Shaw.
Elisabeth Greer is a college professor who has a daughter at NTA; in winter 2018, she led protests through the streets of Chicago. She doesn’t believe CPS had valid reasons for closing it. In the crime-ridden city of Chicago, NTA stands out as being one of its major accomplishments. Moreover, the board intends to merge South Loop elementary with NTA to make it a high school. It will largely serve upscale white families that have relocated within the region.
The movie shifts its focus to Isaac Castelaz, who proudly walks his students into the cafeteria for an assembly. However, they fumble with their notes trying to play one of those hard songs. Their music teacher tells them to try again only this time with their classmates clapping loudly around them. Still their intonation was off key because they cannot manage it right yet. They are upset when he thanks them for trying harder at playing wrong notes even sorrowfully responding back at him too while looking at their faces wishing deeply if they could get better before next performance rehearsal so he can be proud of them after all once more we will be good enough for him eventually according his words-practice makes perfect-it seems there is no shame in getting up from falling down as long as you keep on trying not sitting silently forever-but louder than ever before cheerfully everyone else in class joins but they are so sad because it’s too late now still unable to get through their heads beyond all memories entangled together inside them without any doubt and certainly right until we give it up trying-to play on perfectly- why? This is the beginning of an explanation as to why NTA has such an effective staff as well. Isaac expects a lot from his students, and then he makes sure that the necessary steps are taken for achieving these goals.
Next, two groups of people are revealed to us. Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance (PDNA) comprises Tina Feldstein and John Jacoby. They moved into South Loop in 2013 when it started gentrifying rapidly. New residents also did not want their kids to attend South Loop Elementary or NTA. Additionally, there is a white mother’s speech about what she really meant but didn’t say; she just chose NTA because it was among the best schools in the city. Likewise, others didn’t like having black schools for their children.
Audrey Johnson who works at NTA and is also a parent shares her experience growing up at Harold Ickes housing projects that were demolished for NTA to be constructed.Audrey worked tirelessly with Amy Rome, who was first principal at NTA, in order that new teachers may begin building ties with its community.She made NTA care about its pupils.Thus “Good schools save children” stated Audrey plainly.Refusing CPS destroyed the basis of this house , which means CPS will not destroy her bedrock foundation of home.In fact the latter three individuals including Elisabeth Greer plus Isaac’s staff become active participants within this story attempting to bring back life into closed and locked gates prohibiting entrance only by dying ones while always being open unto something else forevermore such men like Jeremiah Emanuel himself walking around wearing bulletproof vests waiting over there behind bars even now just wanting somebody else would finally come along together again almost but never quite no…
Kevin Shaw spends time to illustrate what makes NTA different. Taylor’s mother died when she was born. Raised by her grandmother, Olive, she has excelled in school and become a brilliant young lady. Olive credits her enrollment at NTA. We see Isaac counseling Yaa, a girl with a severe social anxiety disorder. He talks bluntly about his abject failure as a first year principal. Isaac had tremendous problems taking over from Amy Rome. He had to understand his students before being able to help them. Isaac doesn’t reward or tolerate bad behavior. He nurtures firmly. Isaac has been reprimanded by CPS for his actions against their plan. He would be fired if the board knew of his interviews. Isaac risks his career for the school.
Let the Little Light Shine shows the incredibly contentious battle for survival. Chance the Rapper enters the narrative. He witnessed the students protesting CPS at a heated board meeting. The PDNA and board members decry racism accusations. An NTA parent stands up and calls out the dog whistles. The city had never shut a high-performing school. The verbiage and plan offered by CPS and PDNA could not be ignored. They wanted a separate entrance for children coming from the moneyed South Loop. Audrey Johnson issues a dramatic supporting proclamation. NTA welcomes everyone from anywhere. A court decides the school’s fate when CPS remains intractable.
Let The Little Light Shine strikes at heart of divisive issues.NTA’s supporters allegations of racism and gentrification stew in pot of Chicago’s malaise.But there can be no room for arguing or denying that the school has succeeded.It serves as an educational beacon–a safe place–and I hope that many children will thrive.Above all else, it is this sense of responsibility that defines NTA.The climax is heartrending: trust me you will cry.Such are some phrases that are used by people who write academic papers.
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