AJC.com > Blogs > Get Schooled > Archives > 2006 > November > 27
Monday, November 27, 2006
So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Goodnight
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Since I started Get Schooled in early 2005, reading the comments has been my favorite part of the day. I love hearing from the teachers and parents who are in classrooms day in and day out. I love seeing how a dozen different people can view a simple thing like a male teacher hugging a child a dozen different ways.
The best education stories don’t come out of Washington or the Georgia Department of Education. They come from the people who see for themselves when education happens and when it doesn’t. No matter how many schools I visit, I can never get that first-hand view. Get Schooled opened up a forum for discussing the stickiest education issues such as parents who don’t trust teachers, teachers at their wits end with parents, parents who expect too much and teachers who expect too little.
Discipline, word walls, English papers, discipline, teachers with poor grammar, delusional parents, discipline, drop outs, vocational programs, discipline, test scores, No Child, penmanship, taxes, technology… Did I mention discipline?
Before Get Schooled, I might have named discipline somewhere in a top ten list of problems in our schools. Now I would put it Number One.
You know where this is going … it’s time for me to move on. I’m on adoption leave caring for my daughter (Ohmygosh she is so beautiful and sweet! You know you want to see pictures! Go here!)
Oh, wipe your tears! Get Schooled could use a fresh voice anyway.
I’m happy to announce AJC education reporter Bridget Gutierrez holds the keys to the Get Schooled kingdom. She can tell you more about herself, but trust me you’re in capable hands.
Thanks to all those who took the time to read Get Schooled, post comments and send me suggestions for topics. I’ve learned so much. You’ve helped me be a better education reporter, and you’ve helped me get ready to be my child’s first teacher.
Feel free to e-mail me at pattighezzi@hotmail.com if you need to reach me personally.
Best,
Patti
