School Reform

In recent years we have all heard a great deal about school reform, about how everything will be magically better once a series of standards are fully implemented and tests properly aligned to those standards. People have strong feelings about this issue. Some swear all will be well with education again and we will suddenly be able to race past all those nations who weed their children out early and refuse to teach everyone. Some swear it will be the ruin of life as we know it on this planet as we turn children into robots in pursuit of some Bradburyesqe future.

The truth is neither side is correct. There is both good and bad in the reforms themselves - things I love, and things I could do without as a teacher - but these reforms are inconsequential compared to other issues in education. They excite me a little, trouble me a little, but do not take up nearly as much of my metal energy as other concerns.

The fact is NOTHING CHANGES IN EDUCATION UNTIL HOW WE THINK ABOUT CHILDREN CHANGES. Without this at the forefront, the rest is all just packaging. I am taking a class that has asked me to consider my why. Why do I teach? I know my why. I teach because every child is deserving of love and attention and every child needs a quality education in order to achieve his or her dreams. I teach because the learning and growth of children is essential to the quality of the nation in which I live. I teach because I love. I teach because I love.

Given the strains of the job and the profound demands it places, on the mind, heart, and soul, I do not believe it can be done with any other why as a guiding force. We must, therefore, as a nation, accept this why as the primary purpose for our public education system or we will get no where. We can tinker with curriculum and examine the data all we want but if we cannot say that every teacher teaching in America today believes every child is worth the effort, every child is capable of growth, and every child has a better chance with a quality education, then we will make no headway in the improvement of the system as a whole.

Furthermore, it is essential we all understand the definition of the word "every." Every does not mean only the compliant. Every does not mean, we will care IF their parents care first. Every does not mean only the child who seems to want to learn. Every does not mean only the child who treats me with respect. Every means all children, no exceptions. If you have spent any time in a classroom, you will understand why this is a tall order but every child will eventually be an adult active in our society. As a high school teacher, I am possibly the gatekeeper who will in some small way determine what path that child will travel and whether his contribution to this society is positive or negative. If I am not committed to helping every child choose the right path, I am dooming my nation to mediocrity.