Re: The current state of public education.
Parent demands, teacher demands, government demands, union demands – it is all so out of control.
Having been a teacher for over 30 years, I find it quite frustrating. I always tried to create an atmosphere where learning was for everyone.
It was important to have the children in my care excited about their education.
Communication was always foremost in the scheme of things. Parents were given the utmost respect.
Raising children is a demanding job. Teaching them is equally challenging.
When a family unit is strong, children thrive. When the family structure breaks down, it is extremely difficult to maintain an atmosphere of trust.
The school system is breaking down for the same reason.
Quite some time ago, the brain trust in education decided that administrators should become “management” in order to run the school more efficiently. That merely resulted in a lack of trust.
Just look at the teacher job action. Principals are not allowed to communicate with the teachers, there are no staff meetings, no common ground, no teamwork.
Teachers have chosen the wrong action to get their point across.
Instead of not writing report cards and not having parent interviews to let parents know officially how their child is doing, they should have cancelled all extra-curricular/volunteer activities.
Can you imagine if there were no sports teams or musicals, or concerts, or science fairs, or public speaking, or free tutoring?
Teachers used to be respected. All I read about these days is how teachers only want a raise.
Parents are so quick to be critics. They expect teachers to give it their all. Full classes with integrated students with very little or no support to handle the diversity within each class.
Ask your children what could make education better. I bet they will ask their parents to join forces with the teachers. Show support for the job they are doing. Join teachers in their attempt to make education better. Instead of bashing teachers, get out in full force and demand more funding and demand a better quality of education with your teachers, not against them.
Can you imagine if the teachers joined with parents and students and administrators and trustees to let the government know how much is at stake?
Rolf Spaeti
