Two Schools of Schooling

I was recently given the opportunity to present scholarship awards at two area high schools, one public and one private. This was my first time at a private school ceremony and was surprised by the difference. More parents, student in clean uniforms, and a school facility with ample space, supplies and staff. What made this ceremony unique were its book awards. Representatives from major colleges throughout the United States, send representative to award books to juniors who showed academic merit. From a person who is a product of public schools and public universities, the distinctions were noticeable. It was also obvious that the student population was predominantly white. This was a glaring example of the education opportunities of the “haves” versus the “have-nots.” Sadly, it probably doesn’t matter how much money we throw at public education, there are just some cultural differences regarding the importance of education that cannot be changed.

We must learn to instill the value of education and its critical importance for the future of America. We must make higher education a priority and goal. Here however, providing funds for higher education can make a difference. As we say goodbye to the class of 2017 and wish them well, we must also motivate them to pursue their goals and achieve their dreams. Education is the catalyst for that.

C.2017 J. Margolis

Affordable Housing for Teachers

There is good news and there is bad news. The good news is that there are a number of cities and towns across the United States that are either planning are already constructing affordable housing for teachers, firefighters and police officers. This strategy is occurring in places where the cost of housing is high and most employees have to live far from their place of employment, having to endure long commutes and heavy traffic. Southwest Florida, for example, is one area that is considering such proposals. The general rule of thumb is that you should budget no more that 30% of your gross monthly income, before taxes, on rent.

Now for the bad news. Teachers and other public employees are being grossly underpaid, especially in more affluent areas where the housing market is above the national average. This is a sad commentary on the value many communities place on their teaching staff. How does a society value its educators? Respect and esteem in the community is one way. Offering a fair and livable wage is another. Teachers answer to multiple constituencies that include administrators, parents, school board members and the community at large. Teachers are diagnosticians, trying to ascertain the best way to present material to all students to insure mastery. Teachers are also evaluators, mediators, and sometimes surrogate parents. With a lengthy job description and an understanding of American customs and culture, teachers should not have to wait for public officials to build “affordable housing,” or endure grueling commutes to work. They have earned a place in the community.

C.2017 J. Margolis

Teacher Appreciation Day

Tomorrow, May 9, 2017 is National Teacher Application Day. This day, established by the National Education Association, is part of Teacher Appreciation Week.  The NEA noted that this is” a day honoring teachers and recognizing the lasting contributions they make in our lives.”  Printable worksheets and activities can be found on the web site www.teachers.com.

Congratulations and thank you teachers for all of your hard work and dedication.

A Look Back at the Virginia Tech Tragedy

It is hard to believe that it has been ten years since the shootings at Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, On April 16,2007 a lone gunman entered the campus killed 32 people and injured 17 others before committing suicide. It was one of the deadliest mass shootings by a single gunman in US history. That event coupled with a retrospective of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut as well as the tragedy at Columbine High School should give educators pause about dealing with campus security. Providing for student safety has become an important priority turning some school entranceways into airport like security zones. In a number of school districts, administrators have hired school resource officers, armed police or deputies, to patrol the buildings as well as the surrounding campuses. Last night I attended a community town hall to discuss security at religious institutions. This is all an unfortunate sign of the times. But to echo the words of the county sheriff and chief of police, we need to be proactive rather than reactive. At the risk of being redundant, “If you see something, say something.”

As many school districts are approaching the end of the academic year, it is important, even critical, to provide a comprehensive assessment of campus security procedures and make plans for the net school year.

c. 2017 J. Margolis

A Look at H.R. 610

In 1965 President Lyndon Johnson signed into law the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Part of that legislation provided for services for children with special needs and spelling out nutrition requirements for lunches for low- income students.  On January 23,2017 three members of the US House of Representatives introduced the “Choices in Education Act,” known as H.R.610. One of the primary tenants of this legislation is to repeal ESEA. In reviewing the bill, it has been n0ted that it does not address The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), which pertains to students with special needs.

The proposed bill also contains provisions for a voucher system that apparently does not address the issues of students with disabilities. It behooves members of the education community to keep an eye on this legislation as it makes its way through congress. For those of you who wish to take an activist approach, the three sponsors of the bill are Congressman Steven King (R- Iowa) 202-225,4426, Congressman Andy Harris (R- Maryland), 202-225-5311 and Congressman Trent Franks (R- Arizona), 202-225-4576.

c. 2017 J. Margolis

The Freedom Writers Revisited

I recently had the opportunity to meet Erin Gruwell, teacher, author, motivator of high school students and founder of the FreedomWriters Foundation. Her enthusiasm for teaching and her students is effusive. Her dedication to her students and her career in part led to the demise of her marriage and the jealous resentment of her colleagues at Wilson High School in Long Beach, California. Meeting Erin motivated me to read her second book, “Teach with Your Heart, (Broadway Books c. 2007)”which chronicles her voyage with her students through four years of high school English making the course work come alive and become meaningful. She was able to motivate her student to be thoughtful and productive writers and thinkers. Through her efforts and some good luck, Ms. Gruwell was able to take her students on field trips to Washington, DC, New York City, and, after graduation, to Auschwitz in Poland.

I would recommend that all future teachers (and current ones as well), read both of Erin’s books, The Freedom Writers Diaries and Teach With a Heart. While some of us in the profession may object to her methods, you cannot dispute the results. No one said that working with disadvantaged and disaffected students would be easy, but those are the students we need to reach. It is a challenge of the greatest magnitude.

Those of you who will be interviewing future employees for your schools, try to look for some of Erin’s qualities in your applicants. For those of you on your job search, try to develop some of those qualities and strategies that will make you a desirable candidate and a successful teacher.

Ps.- Try to get a hold of the film Freedom Writers with Hilary Swank portraying Erin Gruwell. For more information about the work of the foundation go to the site

Freedomwritersfoundation.org.

c.2017 J. Margolis