A Teaching Life

In unpacking his thoughts, Snyder reminds me of the predominate role schools play in our democracy. It’s no wonder that dictators want them not to be cradles of learning, thinking, truth seeking. Authoritarian regimes want believers and followers, not children who grow up to value who they are and who they want to be.

Already threats to teachers pressure them to conform to outside pressures often promulgating false values. Such conformity in these troubled times would mean accepting the unraveling of public education. Some states provide more funds for private and religious schools than for public schools. In so doing they are separating children into like-groups avoiding the cultural mix of public school classrooms. They will grow up with a skewed view of who America is and what it has strived for throughout its history.

Imagine, teachers coerced to encourage children to denounce one another, to be less themselves, less knowledgeable, and become believers and followers.

A dictator intends for children to become pitted against their parents. Family values become destroyed, the State becomes the “family.” As Hitler said, “He who owns the youth owns the future.” And Trump has exclaimed: “We’re starting young patriots’ clubs all across America. We love our kids, they’re going to love our country.”

Public schools are a treasure. They are America. Teachers need all the support we can give them. If you are a parent, let your teachers know you care and support them. And not just once.

Invite teachers you know to read my Blog, written with them in mind to provide hope in these troubled times.