Frank Thoms, Teacher in the Rye

I visualize the classroom where teacher and students engage imbuing the fundamental principles of democracy. The American public school, now under threat, has been the backbone of the country. Children come to school at an early age not only to learn but to experience America’s values. When teachers educate, engage, their children become who they are, not a clone of some authority’s bidding. Recent outside demands, such as state testing, political interference, and parental anger have constricted teachers.

The most important value of a democratic education is that it demonstrates that it is only ‘we, just us’ and ‘no other.’ Classrooms include all children in a community: white, black, Latino, Asian, exchange students, disabled, whoever. A democracy that threatens its own people is not democracy but an authoritarian culture, which chooses who is ‘in’ and who is ‘out.’ A true democratic classroom not only teaches principles but possible actions. It invokes America’s “We the People,” preparing its children to learn democratic values and to understand that taking action is essential to preserve them.

Democratic classrooms teach good character, now more essential than ever. Understanding the principles of good character and its fundamental role in a democracy should be stressed from the first grade and become a requirement for graduation despite not able to be tested. It must be the centerpiece of every school. People who have good character accept others for who they are, do not threaten to separate groups of people, do not promote inequality and inequity, and recognize that all members of a society have equal rights and privileges.

If you are a teacher, I hope this post encourages you in these times. If you are not, I hope you find ways to support public schools and its teachers.