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Thursday, May 17, 2007
When Will Teachers Stop Feeling Helpless?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’ve often asked teachers why they don’t do more to change how education is being delivered today. In response, they often mention that they’re too close to retirement or fearful of administrative reprisal. Several have explained that education is “fad driven” and they don’t feel they need to risk anything because eventually it will change — much like Georgia’s weather.
My question for teachers is: Why do you just go with the flow? You have proven you are strong enough to affect the outcome of a gubernatorial election. You are truly a force to be reckoned with when you pull together. So why the feelings of helplessness when it comes to providing what you know works in the classroom?
Don’t misunderstand, I’m not slamming teachers. Most of the teachers I know are caring individuals. It’s just that as the single-largest voting block in the state, teachers wield the power to stop a lot of unnecessary standardized testing that takes away from classroom instruction; to put an end to grade inflation; to ban disruptive students from the classroom; to demand smaller class sizes; to use teaching methods that truly reach students; and to clearly improve education overall.
So why do teachers have to individually fight these battles?
Please don’t insult my intelligence by saying there’s no teachers’ unions in Georgia. As a businessman, I know full well if my entire work force calls in sick I have two options: Fire them all or listen to them.
Well, actually, I do have a third option at this point in life — I could lock the doors and go fishing. But then, I haven’t been charged with assuring the success of future generations.
Today’s guest blogger, a regular contributor to Get Schooled, is a Gwinnett County father who’s been actively involved in the public school system. A self-described opponent of high-stakes testing, his youngest child is a rising high school senior.
