Thursday morning we talked about this day in history, the day Dr. Martin Luther King gave his I have a Dream speech. We listened to his words and agreed that he spoke some really big, long, complicated words. The children listened and raised their hand when they heard something they had heard before. When I fast forwarded to I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.I have a dream today! All hands were raised.

“Now an African American man is a candidate for president. Do you think Dr. King could have dreamed that back in 1963?” I asked my students. Yes, was the enthusiastic reply. Yes, indeed. My students understand the power of hopes and dreams. It’s going to be a great year.