Counselor Mandy Eppley speaks with school social worker Barry Sherman about his story and the impact his mother’s sudden death when he was 18 years old had on the course of his life. Barry also gives a first-hand account of the inequity that is in many of the schools throughout our country. He is experiencing this at the school he currently works in, located in Charlotte, NC, as it has moved backward and is now segregated. The biggest factor that separates the children in his school from other schools is their socio economic status with the majority living in poverty. Due to this, the majority of children are struggling with multiple risk factors that they bring to school with them each day. Thus, instead of being able to teach and create an optimal learning environment, they need to spend time addressing these risk factors. He is using his grief and outrage about this situation to fuel the actions he is taking to address and change this on a systemic level. One of the messages he wants to get out is that the best learning environment can be created when diversity, especially in economic levels, is present in our schools.??

Barry Sherman - MSW, LCSW, is a school social worker with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Until 2011 he served for nearly 20 years as the Assistant Director of The Institute for Life-leadership & Coaching. He also continues his work with INTEGRA for KIDS, a leadership development program for children utilizing the creative arts. www.INTEGRAforKIDS.org.?? Barry is also taking a leadership role in changing what is happening in our schools. To find out more about what actions are being taken by the OneMECK Coalition to institute change in the Charlotte/Mecklenburg system please visit www.onemeck.org. This coalition could also serve as a model for other cities and school systems.