Welcome Back to School

Back to School

“Even on your WORST DAY as a teacher

 You are some student’s best hope.”

As I was driving through Tennessee last week, I saw a sign in front of a school building that stated that the fall term begins on August 1^st. Is it that time already? Many of us have not yet cleaned out our book bags from the end of the last school year. We hope that your summer was a productive one. Whether you relaxed and recharged your batteries at the beach or the mountains, or if you attended a workshop or graduate program, now is the time for preparing for the new year. Aside from the micro – issues at you own school and in your own classroom, there are issues in contemporary American Education that take on a more global importance. Here is a brief list of some of those issues that educators will have to deal with during the coming school year:

1)      Politics and Education. As I have mentioned in previous articles, 2012 is a presidential election year and public education in this country will be impacted in some way no matter who is elected. Review the issues. Scrutinize the candidates. Don’t forget to vote!

2)      School violence. Unfortunately this summer glaringly illustrated that no public venue is safe- not a movie theatre, a Sikh Temple, or a retail store. Schools are not immune.  Familiarize yourself with your school’s policy regarding school emergencies and what programs are in place (or should be) to reduce violence in schools.

3)      Bullying. Bullying on school grounds or cyber-bullying has reached epidemic proportions in this country. What is your school doping about it? When crafting policies, be sure to include the voice of the parents. They are an essential key in eliminating bullying.

4)      Teacher Quality and Compensation. You may be going back to school without a contract. You may also be returning to the classroom with a new set of guidelines for teacher evaluations and rules for obtaining tenure. Be sure that you familiarize yourself with these changes. Discuss and issues with your administrator as well as union representatives.

5)      Bilingualism. This is an issue that is ongoing. As the percentage of the US population who do not speak English increases, the need for bilingual education becomes more critical. We must continue to develop literacy programs that will reach all children. Classroom teacher do not have to be reminded that they are obligated to teach every child who walks in the door.

6)      Poverty. You have students who went hungry this summer. Without school lunch and after school snack programs, many student whose families live below the poverty line did not have sufficient nutrition. In some states, summer program were able to provide food to needy students. This situation is not going to improve even as the school year begins. The current drought in the Midwest is bound to cause a hike in food prices making a healthy diet even less affordable to many families. Food banks around the country are already reporting shortages.

Schools are more than places for learning. They are also place for socialization and social action. What has made America’s school great in the past- so great that people flee other countries to get their kids in American schools- is that schools were a haven  with thoughtful and compassionate professionals who have the best interest of their students at heart. Please keep this in mind as you begin the new year. Best wishes for a successful school year!