Jim the education view sure seems on target. Enough so that EVERY time I pass by a school I feel called to pray for the kids, the teachers and the support staff that are so critical. Additionally I thank God that I’m no longer inside the doors of same!
I totally feel this, Jim. "MASH mode" Triage. It's been really rough for the kids in our district. Most parents just have a couple of kids to worry about, but they front like they're education and mental health policy experts. Then they never even show up to Board meetings or volunteer to read a book to a kid. I wish you well. Hang in there.
Very good writing, Jim. It makes me sad. I'm sure I'm over-simplifying, and I know there are plenty of institutional problems, but these kids don't seem to have a firm moral/ethical foundation, nor a sense of true North. Old fashioned religion may be a poor example... but isn't building this in children one of the useful things that religion is, ostensibly, supposed to accomplish? I wonder if there is any way to compare secular schools with "faith-based" schools in this regard. Any insight?
I'm not advocating for or against anything, and certainly not trying to pick a fight. But it will be interesting to compare children who were attending public vs. private/charter schools. And schools that emphasize religious teachings, and out of fashion ideas such as duty, honor, respect could be a valuable control. Both apples and oranges grow best on healthy trees.
(PS: I think maybe you meant "vicious" instead of "viscous". Although some of the bad ideas out there are quite sticky and slow.
Wow! I loved this! The challenges in education are plenty and I think as a society, we need to get back to kindness and respect for all and it starts at home and continues throughout our lives. Maybe, just maybe these small acts can make a ripple of a difference????
I know this is an “ostrich reaction”, but I’m SO glad my kids and yours are no longer in school! Then I remember our grandkids are!
Jim the education view sure seems on target. Enough so that EVERY time I pass by a school I feel called to pray for the kids, the teachers and the support staff that are so critical. Additionally I thank God that I’m no longer inside the doors of same!
I totally feel this, Jim. "MASH mode" Triage. It's been really rough for the kids in our district. Most parents just have a couple of kids to worry about, but they front like they're education and mental health policy experts. Then they never even show up to Board meetings or volunteer to read a book to a kid. I wish you well. Hang in there.
Very good writing, Jim. It makes me sad. I'm sure I'm over-simplifying, and I know there are plenty of institutional problems, but these kids don't seem to have a firm moral/ethical foundation, nor a sense of true North. Old fashioned religion may be a poor example... but isn't building this in children one of the useful things that religion is, ostensibly, supposed to accomplish? I wonder if there is any way to compare secular schools with "faith-based" schools in this regard. Any insight?
A lot to consider. I think the comparison of public and private schools quickly gets derailed. Comparing apples and oranges.
I'm not advocating for or against anything, and certainly not trying to pick a fight. But it will be interesting to compare children who were attending public vs. private/charter schools. And schools that emphasize religious teachings, and out of fashion ideas such as duty, honor, respect could be a valuable control. Both apples and oranges grow best on healthy trees.
(PS: I think maybe you meant "vicious" instead of "viscous". Although some of the bad ideas out there are quite sticky and slow.
Wow! I loved this! The challenges in education are plenty and I think as a society, we need to get back to kindness and respect for all and it starts at home and continues throughout our lives. Maybe, just maybe these small acts can make a ripple of a difference????
Thanks Bea, I know you have given much to schools throughout your life.