Transforming children's lives is the goal of teaching and teachers who do not believe in their students should get out of the classroom.

That was the word yesterday from American educator Dr. Lorraine Monroe while speaking to teachers yesterday morning at the Ruth Seaton James Auditorium.

Every seat in the 643-seat venue was filled as public school teachers -- taking development seminars on midterm break -- were reminded why they joined the profession.

Echoing the same theme she had presented to headmasters and Ministry of Education officials on Tuesday, Dr. Monroe hammered home how young people's lives are affected by their teachers.

"I am here to talk about the urgency of this,'' she said. "I have come to remind you about the importance and power of education. I want you to leave here saying what have I been doing, what can I do to transform lives.

"You have to remember what did your teachers do and what it is that you have to do to replicate that,'' she said. "You are saving spirits, minds, and lives. You are the remover of shadows and obstacles.'' Dr. Monroe linked exposure to a wider world as well as high test scores with academic achievement, and added: "Culturally biased tests? Bunk! "We all know what a kayak is, and I know there ain't no Eskimos out there,'' she said to laughter around the room. "That is your vision. It should be to get every school child into college by giving them the tools they need.'' Dr. Monroe countered the notion that children from certain groups are not educable.

"They'll say they are black, or brown, or new arrivals, and I can't get through to them. But that's why their parents send them to us, to get through to them! "I kick potential butt. You don't tell me what children can't do. I assume success from them.'' Schools she said, should give every child an avenue toward success, whether it is in the sciences or the arts or extra-curricular activities.

"The function of school is to give kids so many options that when things are crazy in their young lives they have a refuge and sanctuary with you,'' she added.

Speaking about school reform, she said elite schools do not fall for teaching fads: "Trinity, Choate, or Andover haven't changed a thing. What do poor test results tell me? My performance! To say I have taught it and they have not learned it is an oxymoron.'' Dr. Monroe concluded: "A black male, or brown male or immigrant child that can't read is headed to prison.

"You know what is supposed to happen when you return to the schools? Kick butt. You are saving lives,'' she said to a standing ovation.

`Culturally biased tests? Bunk! We all know what a kayak is, and I know there ain't no Eskimos out there.' Dr. Lorraine Monroe