Comments on: Americans don’t care about education and it’s heartbreaking.

By: yolk

yolk — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 15:46:09 +0000

My school just released our virtual learning plan. I actually really like it despite the insane amount of work I know it will be. Our school leaders have even scheduled “campfire” time on Friday mornings for us to meet with our small groups and do fun things. My team is already planning some activities that we can do remotely to increase our sense of virtual community.

By: jagdmackay

jagdmackay — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 15:44:46 +0000

I think the next few years will be a turning point for American education and really bring to light some harsh realities.

I think parents feel at a total loss because like or not, school is a form of childcare and parents trying to catch their breath during COVID now have to prepare for kids to be home potentially and also figure out how to make a living. Not all jobs are able to become remote and this especially impacts low income families. This is an issue because American employers in most cases will not be flexible for children being home or may need to be made to.

Teachers and schools have been at war with communities over resources, proper salaries and student numbers for years, so seeing students move to an online only model will perpetuate this more and now parents will need to take a more active role in their kids education (they should have been already) teachers may need to work more outside school days (the goods ones do already)

Americans have been brainwashed to the idea that we’re still number one, so much so that if they even hear someone say we’re not, to some that’s just impossible despite data showing were miles behind other nations in literacy, math and the humanities. I don’t think it’s a lack of appreciating education but they take a very laissez faire approach because our education is world class.

It’s really unfortunate but just like other events in history this will define a generation of people and I have a feeling it will continue toward the downward spiral it’s been. The outcomes will be based on the culture that school districts and faculty push during this time and if they truly support and embrace remote learning as a facet and tackle it like they’re supposed to, some will succeed and others will likely fail, it’s a shame we have a non-educator as the head of the system who has no problem allowing students to die because it’s how it should be done. We have the ability to be so much better than this.

By: Pavlinka

Pavlinka — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 15:44:22 +0000

Pisses me off that teachers are expected to also raise children. It’s not our job to teach children manners, but here we are, because parents don’t do the basics. I ran a daycare and a parent wanted to bring their 5 year old so we could potty train them. I’m sorry, I’m happy to help support what you’re doing at home, but that’s not my responsibility.
School is going to be seriously lacking, no matter if it’s in person or online. I know I’m not doing anything extra, and my health and safety is coming first. Going back full time, full capacity isn’t safe, but here we go.

By: miss_Saraswati

miss_Saraswati — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 15:43:08 +0000

It’s not our job to teach manners. I find it so interesting that anything that is learned somehow must come from a teacher. Hello? Parenting? You still out there??

By: yolk

yolk — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 15:42:44 +0000

The second you mention online only schooling, however, suddenly it’s “not at all the same quality of education” as if they they’re experts. Obviously the above system sounds horrible for all kinds of learners, but they don’t understand learning at all.

By: stillcantshoot

stillcantshoot — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 15:42:26 +0000

Great post, and appreciated as an educator, but the system has been broken a LONG time. Education changes so significantly in such a short time (due to technology, laws, etc.) that what was applicable ten years ago no longer applies. We can make all types of laws, but what really needs to happen is an ATTITUDE change in America that focuses on priorities: make teaching and daycare desirable positions with a corresponding desirable pay, make all colleges free with no focus on athletics and require students to work for “x” years in an assigned location to pay back the debt, highlight education instead of entertainment as a successful and desirable career path. The discrediting of educators and scientists on all levels – especially at the federal level – is a poison that has worked its way into some American’s veins: skepticism has replaced science and reason. Everyone feels not only entitled to their opinion but the audacity to be convinced no one else’s is correct and broadcast it to the world. America doesn’t value its teachers because it doesn’t value education: kids want to be YouTubers, professional athletes, insta influencers, none of which really require an education to be successful.

When education becomes a priority in America, THEN we can address changing this broken system. However, the “me and mine” mentality since 9/11 may have permanently damaged “it takes a village to raise a child” – now it all rests on the teachers.