Learning and Teaching Do Matter

[GoodWitch58]

This piece by a teacher mirrors so much of my work; says a lot about priorities in our society IMO.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/23/jobs/23pre.html

 

[Susan Horn]

Poignant and revealing.

 

[Teresa]

loved this piece.

 

[Bob]

teachers deserve a higher station in our society for their contributions. sadly, teacher's unions bear the brunt of the politics of fear/anger.

 

[GoodWitch58]

I am thinking that if everyone in this country was required to serve in some kind of public service and one of those ways was teaching school or working in the school system in some capacity for a year--then,I think the chances that we would have:

1. an improved education system;
2. more compassion for people who truly have difficult challenges in life;
3. a more evolved society--it would take a lot of will power not to be moved by some of the situations teachers deal with everyday with the students
4. Less violence and disruption in our schools
5. More funding for the school system
6. More priority on learning and teaching and less on test scores and evaluations
7. A better educated society and happier people

If everyone was a part of and committed to, the education of our children, if only for a short while, it would make a huge difference.

 

[Jdarg]

I am thinking that if everyone in this country was required to serve in some kind of public service and one of those ways was teaching school or working in the school system in some capacity for a year--then,I think the chances that we would have:

1. an improved education system;
2. more compassion for people who truly have difficult challenges in life;
3. a more evolved society--it would take a lot of will power not to be moved by some of the situations teachers deal with everyday with the students
4. Less violence and disruption in our schools
5. More funding for the school system
6. More priority on learning and teaching and less on test scores and evaluations
7. A better educated society and happier people

If everyone was a part of and committed to, the education of our children, if only for a short while, it would make a huge difference.

I love this. And you are so right about the compassion part on #2.

 

[Sheila]

I love this. And you are so right about the compassion part on #2.

Interesting. we just spent an evening with our BFF's daughter that has her first year teaching. We brainstormed all evening to engage her class into "getting it"! She was amazed at how many ideas the "old folks" came up with.

 

[GoodWitch58]

One of our most creative and inspiring people is in her 90s. She worked until she was 90, then "people" insisted she must retire and "take it easy" ...
when "they" wouldn't let her work anymore, she started to volunteer!

She is fantastic and the students love her, and I have not done a tally, but I'm betting that she is running 'way ahead of everyone else in the New Ideas department.

Her life story is incredible and most of it has been in some kind of public service...starting with a top secret military job having to do with code breaking and the Navajo Code Talkers. Her mind is just as sharp today as it was then, if her conversation and contributions to the students are any indication.

 

[Mermaid]

I am thinking that if everyone in this country was required to serve in some kind of public service and one of those ways was teaching school or working in the school system in some capacity for a year--then,I think the chances that we would have:

1. an improved education system;
2. more compassion for people who truly have difficult challenges in life;
3. a more evolved society--it would take a lot of will power not to be moved by some of the situations teachers deal with everyday with the students
4. Less violence and disruption in our schools
5. More funding for the school system
6. More priority on learning and teaching and less on test scores and evaluations
7. A better educated society and happier people

If everyone was a part of and committed to, the education of our children, if only for a short while, it would make a huge difference.

GoodWitch, it's a lovely thought, the idea about having compulsary public service, but can you imagine the hue and cry if anyone in this country was "forced" to do something? The outrage that would unleash!

The fact of the matter is that good and decent people will always--and have always--volunteered of their own free will.

One of my greatest hopes about our current president was that he would motivate people to share the wealth. And I don't mean $$, not in this case, but the wealth of talent and energy that so many people possess but do not use to the betterment of anyone but themselves. Think of how many teachers would be undyingly grateful for someone to come into their classrooms and volunteer to read, help with projects, mentor students...the list is endless! President Kennedy was very successful in motivating people to go forth into their communities and even to the world (think Peace Corps and Vista). What I would give to see this happen once more in America on the same scale as it happened in the '60s.

 

[GoodWitch58]

GoodWitch, it's a lovely thought, the idea about having compulsary public service, but can you imagine the hue and cry if anyone in this country was "forced" to do something? The outrage that would unleash!

The fact of the matter is that good and decent people will always--and have always--volunteered of their own free will.

One of my greatest hopes about our current president was that he would motivate people to share the wealth. And I don't mean $$, not in this case, but the wealth of talent and energy that so many people possess but do not use to the betterment of anyone but themselves. Think of how many teachers would be undyingly grateful for someone to come into their classrooms and volunteer to read, help with projects, mentor students...the list is endless! President Kennedy was very successful in motivating people to go forth into their communities and even to the world (think Peace Corps and Vista). What I would give to see this happen once more in America on the same scale as it happened in the '60s.

I agree. We have wonderful volunteers but it is the same people over and over again. They are motivated to give and in almost every case, say they end up receiveing much more than they ever give.

I too wish more people were motivated to share their knowledge and experience. I agree there would be a "hue and cry", but sometimes I think it might be worth it. The Peace Corps is a wonderful organization IMO and Americorps does good work too. I wish both got more attention.