Rather than prepare for a vigorous, positive year of teaching and learning, America's teachers are spending their time thinking about how to save their lives and livelihoods as too many American leaders are working against teachers' right to work with safety and adequate supports. Why are these American leaders betraying teachers, and why do they think it's a good idea not to protect teachers in ways that provide teachers with the time and support to continue to hone their craft and ready for a dynamic year of teaching and learning?
It appears that too many American leaders are focused on their personal wealth and gain rather than the well being of the country. If they were focused on the well being of the country, they would be thinking seriously about how to help the American family and support America's schools too. A strong country depends on well-supported families and schools. The family is not the school, and the school is not the family--both vital institutions are critical to our country's strength and sustainability.
What will good leaders do?
Good leaders will rise up against the self-interests of me-first politicians who appear to support an uneducated, under-supported populace. Clearly, these heinous leaders know that when people are under-supported and uneducated, they are easy to trick, fool, manipulate, and take advantage of. Self-serving, corrupt leaders want us to be weak as that gives them greater ability to use corruption to elevate their wealth, power, and privilege.
Good leaders know that win-win solutions exist. There are ways to keep people safe and supported without risking their lives. Good leaders understand that the pandemic has laid bare the racism, corruption and poverty that exists in America, and they realize that this is an opportunity to work against that racism, poverty and corruption for the best interests of all Americans. They understand that this is a time when we must invest in elevating quality health care, education, homes, neighborhoods, healthy recreation, and family supports so that people across the country can live well despite the limitations and threats the pandemic creates.
If we could bail out wealthy banks just a few years back, we can bail out families right now so they have the money they need to care for their children, stay healthy, and live well. We can also invest in America's school first by making sure that students and schools have what they need for quality, remote education, and also by shoring up America's schools and campuses so that they are healthy environments for children to return to once the pandemic passes. Schools are not families or child care institutions, schools are the education cornerstone of American society--the place where children learn about the world around them as well as learn how to learn and think critically. A well-educated population will spell long term success for our country whereas an uneducated populace will spell disaster. Ignorance is as deadly or more deadly than a pandemic--we have clearly seen what the Trump team's ignorance with regard to the economy, the environment, and the pandemic has done to American society in just three short years. If we don't prioritize quality education now, this downturn will continue with devastating effects. Warehousing children and teachers in unsafe schools will not elevate education, but result in unnecessary illness and deaths and unsuccessful education.
We can do better, USA. Don't be fooled by the self-serving trumpeters who work to manipulate, oppress, and trick you into submission so that they have more money in the bank, greater power, and the most privilege. They don't care whether you live or die, and they don't care about the sustainability or success of America's lands or government--they're all about themselves. Instead, look for the leaders who strive for win-win solutions that support all Americans--the kinds of leaders that still believe in the dream of an egalitarian society--one where everyone has the chance to succeed.