Crisis in America’s Schools: What is the Value of a Teacher?
Tuesday, July 24 2007
To the Editor:
In a world where the level of education can ultimately determine one’s occupation and socioeconomic status why would any person, parent, or community want to put their child’s academic future second on their agenda? It is said throughout the world that teachers are unsung heroes in society; that they are unappreciated by many. There is a crisis within the Clyde-Savannah school district and it is a shame. It is sad that still in this day and age where education is so important that the value of a teacher is continuously questioned in our small community.
Students spend most of their developmental lives with teachers almost as much as they do with their parents. So why not give the young people in the community some stability inside the school walls?
I am an alumnus of Clyde-Savannah and I owe a lot of who I am to the faculty throughout the district. My career choice to enter the field of education is primarily due to the dedicated teachers I had while attending school. Each one of them inspired me in some way to help prepare the youth of America for the bigger world that lies ahead. A bigger world than what lies within the Town of Galen.
The current pay scale for teachers in our district deters new educators and their families from staying in the community. Not to mention that the educators who are in demand and looking for employment won’t even compare another district’s salary to that of Clyde. Our community is out of the running before we can even make an offer to a great teacher. What does this mean? That we can’t keep, let alone get, great teachers for our children’s education.
We need to, as a community, take a serious look at the school and make a choice. Do we want to continue being a career stepping stone for outstanding educators and simply a pit stop on their way towards success? Or do we want the best in our community, to make sure that educational success stays in our schools, and to not let people who can better our community leave
before they arrive?
I believe we should compete for outstanding educators, invite new ones, and most importantly value the ones that are here to stay. Support the Clyde-Savannah faculty and their education of our young people.
—Derek Kise
Clyde
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