Education

First let me say that I want to thank the parents and students who ‘get it’. They understand that school is such a vital part of our society. Not only do we learn reading, writing, and arithmetic but we learn so many invaluable life skills in the process. One of the most important jobs of an educator is to try to teach the ability to ‘play well with others’, ‘take pride in YOUR work’, ‘finish what you started’, and the list goes on. The 90% of parents and students who do get it are unfortunately drowned out by the 10% of students who are the squeaky wheel. And as the old saying goes the squeaky wheel gets the oil.

What’s wrong with public education you ask? Why not ask those who are in the trenches? Yes I say trenches because it feels like we as teachers are at war with public opionion.

I became a teacher because I enjoy it and because when I graduated high school a mere 20 years ago teaching was considered a noble profession. Imagine my surprise that when I became a teacher I realized I was a member of one of the most hated professions in America.

The problems with public education are simple, so simple that I can put it in list form for those who are truly interested in reality.

1. Public opinion has put a very negative spin on education. This opinion has trickled down to those very students that we are supposed to be educating.

a. If students hear from their parents that teachers are “bad”, “pampered”, “unreasonable”, etc. what reason do those students have to listen to their teachers? I wouldn’t.

b. Students who hear their parents and the public speak so poorly of teachers lose faith in those teachers and the education process.

c. In Japan teachers are regarded with high respect and none of us could argue that most children in Japan grow up to be respectful, responsible, and resourceful citizens. The three R’s are a cornerstone of education.

d. If I as a teacher told students that they were “bad”, “good for...