“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” --Nelson Mandela
Yes, it’s true.
At the ripe old age of 63, I became the oldest rookie teacher, ever, in the state of Georgia (to my knowledge).
Without having “student-taught”, and with only a couple of Education classes under my belt, I taught 10th grade Language Arts at Parkview High School, in Gwinnett County. It was a year of equal parts adventure, ordeal, and wake-up call.
No doubt, some students were respectful, hard-working and diligent to learn. Many of these young adults will go on to become industry leaders, elected officials, and successful entrepreneurs. It’s these kids, invariably from solid family backgrounds, who were a pleasure to teach.
Sadly, though, that was not the case for all of my students.
As a caveat, I understand that, as a first-year teacher, there were some bumps in the road, and first-year miscues that, if I was going back into the classroom, would not happen again.
But that does not excuse the disrespectful students who gave me grief, and acted-up in class, disrupting their fellow classmates who had no other choice but to endure the daily drama. It was painful for me to watch hard-working students who yearned for a better educational experience but were stuck in the public school with disruptive kids who should have been learning in another environment.
The pervasive lack of respect for teachers, and the education process in general,by these students fostered what seemed to be a sense of apprehension among (some of) the teachers, many of whom were watching the clock, and counting the days until the next vacation in the schedule. Is it any wonder that teachers are shunning this profession?
There were several fights between both boys and, remarkably, girls.. One **** kid, who I had just disciplined in class, even challenged me to a fight in the hallway. Remarkably, this ***** was not expelled from school.
Although CRT was not taught here, some students arbitrarily brought up one-sided race discussions, creating an awkward air of hostility and tension. Note to self: racism works both ways.
Cheating was so widespread that, to combat it, many teachers had to create several versions of a test. Is it any wonder that state of Georgia colleges no longer require SAT scores for admission?
Don’t get me wrong: I think public schools can be saved, but it will take bold educators to champion a new vision. Hard choices have to be made, or nothing will change. The current status quo in Gwinnett County - and in many of our urban schools - is unacceptable.
YES TO SCHOOL CHOICE
In this dire situation, it’s crucial to empower parents, teachers, and local communities to make decisions about how best to educate our children. By returning control to the local level, we can create more responsive and effective education policies that meet the needs of individual communities.
As a conservative, I firmly support efforts that reduce the federal government's role in education and promote policies that empower local communities.
This means rolling back federal mandates and regulations that stifle innovation and creativity in our schools. We need to eliminate wasteful spending and prioritize funding for programs that work.
Education policy needs to promote academic excellence and provide students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the global economy. This means focusing on core academic subjects, such as reading, writing, and math, and providing students with a well-rounded education that includes music, art, and physical education. By setting high academic standards and promoting accountability, we can ensure that our students are prepared for college, careers, and life.
For kids who are not college bound, and, for instance, don’t want to read Shakespeare, or memorize vocabulary lists, why not provide vocational education and training programs that prepare them for careers in high-demand fields? Kids who do not engage in college-bound curriculum deserve the chance to shine in fields they are better suited for.
WHEN I GET TO D.C.
I will work to legislate common-sense policies that increase parental choice, improve teacher quality, and expand educational opportunities for all students. Let’s eliminate wasteful spending and reduce the federal government's role in education, returning control to the local level where it belongs.
Just watch me, as I work tirelessly to ensure that our education system is providing students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the global economy. Together, we can create a brighter future for our children and ensure that America remains a land of opportunity for generations to come.