There's an article that's spreading across Twitter and the Blogosphere today. I felt compelled to address it in my own blog post. While the question posed in the article (Should I read to my students even if my principal tells me to stop?) may surprise many outsiders of the US education world, it certainly does not surprise me.
In my recent post, Why Children are not Reading, and What We Can Do About It, I stated that I found that many teachers feel they no longer have time to spend on read alouds. It is not possible to explain why in one post. All I can say is that the demands of teaching, especially at the elementary level, have become so great that meaningful learning all too often gets pushed aside. It's one of the main reasons why I am not currently pursuing a permanent position in public education.
As an individual with substantial life experience as a licensed certified public accountant, volunteer, musician, advocate, teacher, and parent, I feel I can offer a unique perspective on education as I have witnessed it over the past few years. There are many people who have been in the "system" for so long that they feel their own "inside" opinions are the only ones that should matter. I strongly disagree.
I strongly urge all teachers to speak up when they disagree with a colleague. There is power in numbers, and I realize that teachers are extremely busy, but the current system will never change if no one speaks up! How can we expect children to be comfortable discussing opposing viewpoints if we ourselves are not able to do so?
I'd like to share two of my favorite quotes of Eleanor Roosevelt:
"We must be able to disagree and to consider new ideas and not be afraid."
"I have never felt that anything really mattered but knowing that you stood for the things in which you believed and had done the very best you could."
Teachers, it's up to each of you to make your many voices heard!
Anyone who has strong opinions about the future of American education should be aware that Secretary Arne Duncan wants to hear what you have to say. Click here to find out more.
So, how do you feel about the question posed in the Orange County Register? You might want to read another blog post about it at the Book Chook blog.
