Radio Commentary
There is a quote I really like
that says: “Either we teach our children, or we abandon the future to chance
and nonsense.”
You
don’t have to tell that to parents or educators. Both groups are well aware of
the responsibilities they shoulder.
A
Gallup Poll on Americans’ attitudes toward public schools reconfirmed a
perception that has held steady for more than two decades: the public gives
only average marks to the nation’s public schools, but predominantly A’s or B’s
to the schools their own children attend.
We
hear reports about the demise of public education, but the schools parents see
for their own children — for whom they are the world’s strongest advocates —
they rate above average or excellent. Think about that.
Educators
recognize that challenges remain, and work remains, until all students reach
their potential and until the achievement gap is truly closed.
The one irrefutable truth we
have learned from educational research over the years is that every child
learns differently. Some must read information to “get” it. Others must hear
it, and others need hands-on approaches.
Still others do much better in
small groups, while some require the one-to-one attention of a teacher or
tutor. Most need a mix of techniques.
The
trick for educators lies in identifying the needs for each student and
providing strategies to meet those various needs. Not an easy task.
Reform efforts continue. I’ve
always considered teachers our unsung heroes and heroines for the work they do,
every day, to reach and teach our children. They deserve our support and
appreciation.
