To teach public school today means you work without the support of the President of the United States, a man who continually works against public education and the welfare of all people rich or poor. Our President has put a political crony in the office of Secretary of Education, a women whose family invested lots of money in his presidential campaign, and a women who explicitly rises up against a quality public education for all children with her continual backing of private, faith-based initiatives and initiatives that appear to move against students from all classes, religions, and cultural backgrounds.
A good leader who values public education would put a top-notch educator at the helm of the Department of Education. A good leader would see education as much more than day care or schools for the middle class or poor; that leader would know that a well educated population spells greater opportunity, less violence, and a stronger future for our country, and that leader would support deep investment in modern ideas and funding formulas to provide every American child with a top-notch education.
A good leader would not only ensure that the children of the wealthy can afford good schools, but instead look out for the children of the poor and middle class people understanding that every child is capable of learning well, and often it is the children of the poor and middle class who have the drive, creativity, and perspective to innovate and solve problems in incredible ways. That good leader would be well read and understand that countries all over the world are investing in education and gaining on the United States because of their investment in all of their children not just the children of leaders' wealthy cronies.
Right now, however, public school teachers all over the country work with a president that doesn't value public education, and seems to not value education at all. His poor conduct breaks all the playground rules and provides a poor example for our nation's youth as he shames, blames, lies, exaggerates, and forwards quick-fix, short-term archaic solutions for complex, modern day problems, problems that deserve the deep think and modern multi-prong solutions to forward our world in ways possible. Our current president seems to be focused on his personal win of greater personal wealth, popularity, and power over the collective win of a strong, positive, and prosperous country.
So what does a teacher do in these troubled times? How does he/she work under such daily oppression and lack of support?
First of all that teacher has to look for the good supports available, supports available w/the good families, students, colleagues, and communities he or she serves. I'm fortunate to work in a state and community that values education and sees the promise a good education holds for children and the state/community in general. In Massachusetts where I teach, education is strong and public education holds promise. I'm fortunate to work in a state that is working to forward a top-notch education for all. I'm also fortunate to work in a state where most public educators belong to the union, a state whose union is working for equitable and sufficient funding for education so that all of the state's children receive the best possible education. I know this is not true for all children in the country. In fact, my research shows that children in states that are led by mostly Trump cronies have the poorest, least supported, and less effective public schools. This is not surprising, but this is troubling.
Next I have to do the work I believe in which is equitable, deep, and timely work to teach well. I have to stay abreast of the latest research, and work with the learning community including parents, students, colleagues, administrators, and community members to forward modern approaches to teaching well, approaches that match the latest cognitive research and world needs/opportunities. There's limitless opportunity to reach for in the education realm.
And I have to work towards being apart of a positive, collaborative community of learners--recognizing that none of us have all the answers, but typically together we can do better.
I am saddened by our President's lack of concern with good process, intelligent problem solving, polite discourse, and respect for all people in our country and world. I am disheartened that our country has elected such a seemingly self-serving and lawless leader, one who puts our good free country at risk. But I won't let this sadness deaden what I can do to teach well. I'll keep working for the good I see, and the opportunity I know that exists for every child to learn well and grow with confidence, happiness, freedom, and good living. Onward.
