In many ways, United States culture is obsessed with glamour. That's one reason, I believe, that teaching does not receive the support that other professions receive. It's too bad that people can't see beyond the desire for glamour to the value of quality education for each and every child.
For example, yesterday I experienced one of those great days in the classroom. The staffing was sufficient and thoughtfully dedicated to helping children learn. The children were engaged learning on their own and with others. They asked good questions and guided their study of the focus topics. The furniture and supplies in the room supported collaboration, comfort, needed space, and good teaching/learning. I was able to work with many students in focused, meaningful ways. The result was not glamorous, but certainly meaningful and positive. Students were learning in ways that made them feel good about themselves and invested in learning more.
As a society, we have to thoughtfully consider where we spend our money, time, commitment, and support? To well support education in meaningful ways that help every child learn in meaningful ways is a good investment in peaceful, productive, happy, and collaborative communities today and into the future.
As Americans we can enjoy glamorous events and people as a form of entertainment, but when it comes to building a strong country of happy, good people, we have to look beyond glamour to well funding and supporting education and other areas of service and living that matter.
