When Eric Chappell was in grade school there were no African-American administrations to encourage him toward his goal to become a teacher.

But after listening to the Black History Month Keynote Address given by Elizabeth Lewin, the superintendent of Carbondale Grade Schools, Chappell said more people like her are needed to provide motivation for African-Americans.

She’s a black female with a Ph.D., and she’s the superintendent of schools, he said. In my lifetime I’ve only seen two administrators who were black and none of them were when I was in school.

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Lewin addressed about 50 people about the influence that public schools and parents have on children. Her speech titled School’s:Society’s Silver Lining? was sponsored by the Black History Month Committee.

Lewin graduated from SIUC with a degree in speech communication in 1970 and earned a master’s degree in 1971. She is also a member of the Carbondale Chapter of the NAACP and the Carbondale Rotary Club.

Lewin said the time parents spend with their children is unequal to the hours children are in school. With a balance of parent and teacher interaction, children can be better prepared for their futures.

Is anyone really listening to what children are saying? she asked. We must find some consensus, and we must find an answer.

There are a lot of issues we have to work on with the parents. So much of that is really making that parent feel welcome. Then it will come naturally.

Lewin said programs and workshops are being designed within the school system geared toward helping teachers and parents work together effectively.

Today’s children find it difficult to find the boundaries of structure, she said. They want the guidance. They want the [role] modeling. They want to know we love them unconditionally.

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We know there are parents who want to be in the schools, and we are at the stage now where we know this is something we need to do. When children know the parent and teacher are working together they won’t act up in the classroom.

Lewin’s views about improving the school system convinced Yalonda Jones choosing a career in education was the right decision.

Jones, a senior in special education from Kankakee, wanted to be a teacher since she was a child. Like Lewin, she wants to impact children’s futures.

As I listened to her speak, it seemed like she made everything personalized, she said. I see a definite need for that. It takes someone who cares enough to get involved with the children, and if we can make things more personalized we will make a tremendous influence.

Harvey Welch, vice chancellor for Student Affairs, said Lewin’s involvement with the school system benefits all students, not only African-American students.

He said her return to SIUC as the keynote speaker displays her commitment to success.

From my perspective, we have a lot of black alumni return and share their experiences, Welch said. And I’m pleased to welcome her here and celebrate her achievement.

Welch said Lewin’s words can be expressed not only toward grade school children but toward college students as well.

I think what she is saying is that involvement is the key getting parents involved in the schools, he said. On a college level, you as a student need to get involved in the class, rather than just sitting in the class. This would be an example to me of a college student getting involved. This will increase learning.

Chappell said he wants to be a part of every child’s learning process.

Overall, teachers have the largest impact on society. Like any other kid, I thought teachers knew it all. Hopefully I can have that. I can develop myself on that level so I can help children have the answers to their own questions.