We the people, us, no others
Part of my mission is to offer possibilities to classroom teachers to be able to relate well to their students, not to act ‘at’ them. I advocate for them to be free to bring ideas and propositions for consideration, rather than to pump information into their heads only to be returned later on a test. I want them to feel free to devote time to build relationships between themselves and their students and their students among themselves.
Present politics advocate that parents have the right to determine the education of their children in public schools. For example, some argue for classrooms to have cameras so parents can observe. Or take it to the absurd: parents standing at the back of the classroom to ensure their kid is taught correctly. Thirty kids, thirty parents. What kind of education would be possible? Think about that.
We trust bankers to take care of our accounts, mechanics to repair our cars, and doctors and nurses to care for us. It’s time to insist that teachers can care for their children. That’s what they trained for. That’s what they have committed to. That’s what they deserve respect for.
Parents who want to instill their children’s ‘education,’ can choose to home school. Or they can send them to private or religious schools. But public education is for everyone. There is only ‘us,’ and no ‘others.’ Public schools accept all who come in the door, boys, girls, gays, LBGTQ+, disabled, special needs, white, blacks, Latino, Asian…everyone.
We the people, us, no others.
