School Children Need Our Help

I’m sure most of you have heard about the book, and movie, ‘Waiting For Superman’.

I recommend everyone to read the book and go see the movie. The facts are shocking.

Although I come from a small town I have seen, and been taught under some really great teachers, but I have also been taught under some really bad teachers that were there for other reasons then to actually teach, and help the children who entered their classes. My parents were involved in the PTA, they were there for our achievements, as well as parties, helping with recess and lunch, and they participated in our school functions. Do to the times and economy most parents are working two and three jobs. I was a divorced woman, and was raising three children on my own. So I was one of those parents, who didn’t have time to be at the school for my own children’s functions. My children grew up during the decades where a lot of teachers wanted most of the students on Ritalin.

When my youngest son’s teacher told me, ‘my son had to be put on this drug’, was when I became involved, in who was teaching my children and what they were teaching them. I was told if I didn’t put my son on this drug, my son would no longer be permitted to attend public school. That day I pulled all three of my children out of school. I knew I would not put my child on some drug. I never regretted my decision.

The point is in the nineties we didn’t have much choice, the schools said, we did. Now through the book and the movie, once again people are becoming aware of the problems we are facing in our schools and the percentage of teachers out there who really should not be teaching our children.

I do feel there are still some wonderful teachers that actually care about their students, but the teachers who don’t care, about our children are sliding through with ten-year.

For example, in my grade school there was a male teacher who looked down the fifth grade girls’ shirts. Even at ten and eleven years of age the girls knew if they wore a low cut shirt in his class they could get A’s all through the quarter, semester, and year, rather they earned them or not. He had ten-year parents tried to fight it, but in the end it was the child’s voice against the teacher’s word. He was not the only teacher who was not worthy of being called a teacher, but because he had ten-year he could not be fired. There are many teachers who hide behind their ten-year, and know they have job security no matter how they act or teach their class.

Testing each year for teachers has been brought up, I believe that is a good start, raising the salaries and cutting back other salaries is another good idea. I had a few teachers who had become science, math and history teachers so they could coach. If you started talking about last Friday night’s game, we would spend the full hour on what the team did do right and what they could have done better. No homework in that class tonight.

The students knew this and yes we used it, after all do homework or go the mall with our friends. Only a geek would vote for the homework.

There is a lot of pressure put on teachers; they have to grade fifteen to fifty papers a night. I understand they want a home life too. They need to be mothers and fathers to their own children, as well as a spouse to the person they married. There is a lot of talk about children going to school all year around. Personally I don’t feel that is such a great idea, teachers need a break, students need a break, and students are only children for a short time. They need time with their siblings and parents, as well as their friends. We should have figured out all ready that quantity does not always mean quality.

I do believe our children can learn all they need to know within nine months without cutting out summer vacations. We as parents, and grandparents, as well as a nation of people who care about our children need to get involved. We need to get involved with our schools, go to classes help out voluntarily see what your children are learning, read to them, help them learn about plants, animals, places, and our world. When you do take that summer vacation, or spending a rare afternoon with your children take them to a museum, a zoo, the library, or just go for a walk, and point out different flowers and trees.

Spend time with your child, learn to ask questions about what they did that day, read to them, or have them read you a story, and help them with their homework. Be there for your children, your teachers, and your schools. Above all get interested in your town, and your youth for they will be the leaders of tomorrow.