South Philly Review

Instead of debating over pricey and perhaps counterproductive solutions to the warfare abroad, federal officials should enlist Talib Coffield to teach friendship building skills. Over the last two years, the 11-year-old student from George Washington Elementary School, 1198 S. Fifth St., has made everyday seem like the Christmas season, filling interactions with good cheer.

Last Thursday, his upbeat personality garnered him a TD Bank Young Heroes Award at the National Liberty Museum, 321 Chestnut St.

The soon-to-be sixth grader has given two sections of Philadelphia a taste of his warm demeanor. Hailing from the Logan section of North Philadelphia, Coffield collected his honor as a token of his rational approach to engaging in activities that unite those with different, yet not necessarily contrasting backgrounds. The recognition boosts the already impressive biography of the young man, who enjoys plowing through biographies himself.

“I’ve read stuff on Sacagawea, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Bill Clinton,” Coffield, who was the only South Philadelphia honoree among 39 winners, said.

Candy Kean, his fourth and fifth grade teacher, nominated the pupil — who has future aspirations of becoming a lawyer — in the Friendship-Building category.

The others honored artistic expression, school/community leadership, volunteer work, political/civic involvement and peer mediation activities. Coffield possesses such an interest in goodwill that Kean also could have nominated him for his roles on the student council, where he serves as the secretary/transcriber, and peer mediation in which he presents conflict resolution plans.

“At George Washington Elementary School, new students register virtually any time during the school year. Talib always offers to help them navigate our classroom, the hallways, lunchroom and more,” Kean wrote in her nomination essay.

The process called for Kean to select a student whom she felt dedicated or volunteered time to helping others, promoted appreciation for diversity or participated in conflict resolution or violence prevention. Her essay made clear her admiration for her former scholar — the only one from his class to earn a nomination.

“In all of my years of teaching, I have never before seen this type of behavior. Talib does this with any student at any time,” she said, noting his willingness to accept rejected students into his circle.

Though matters are clear to Kean, Coffield seems stumped when trying to explain why classmates come to trust him so quickly.

“I just try to be their friend. In peer mediation, I help people to get along without any hurt feelings,” he said.

According to his mother, Ariana Coffield, he has improved his conduct and has made more friends since he transferred from a North Philadelphia charter school.

“Talib just wasn’t learning at the neighborhood school,” his mother said.

He found the schooling so futile that he contacted the principal of his first school to see if he could return.

“It’s one thing for an adult to realize a child’s potential, but it’s really amazing when children see their own. He made me cry with pride when I heard about his call,” the elder Coffield said.

Mother and son decided to transfer to the South Philadelphia school with a history of academic successes. As part of President George W. Bush’s No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, schools must reach benchmarks indicating productive educational outcomes. The act measures a school’s Annual Yearly Progress [AYP], the minimum target level of improvement in reading and math. For the ’08-’09 year, the last for which figures are available, Coffield’s school met all 21 target areas.

“It’s a great school,” the youngster, who considers reading his favorite subject, said.

His nomination proves that the school finds him likewise great, and his victory ensures he will continue to be eager to make friends.