A Former Teacher's Concern

1907 School Teachers

 The Value of a college education is not learning of many facts but the training of the mind to think.

Albert Einstein

Recently, we attended our grandnieces high school graduation preparty.  We are so proud of them.  We are also enjoying hearing from friends about their grandchildren's graduations, and younger friends sharing the dilemma for their kids of selecting the college they want to attend.  The quote by Einstein, as well as the interest in young kids we know, caused me to take a fresh look at education.

Fresh out of college, I taught grade school in a small Kansas town, followed by teaching high school English in cities in New York state and Massachusetts.  My public-school teaching ended when I graduated from Law School, but I have retained an interest in education.  I am aware of the difficulties of remote teaching during covid, and I was curious to update information about the recovery in education that has followed.

There is no question that Covid impacted education, nor that it continues to require new thinking about meeting the challenges of a different world.  However, we should not forget that criticism existed prior to Covid.  In 2015, Education Week posted criticisms:  Parents not involved enough, classroom too crowded to provide individual attention to students, use of technology leading students to expect entertainment, and fewer than 40% having mastered reading and math.  For some students, the article described a "School-to-Prison Pipeline for students lacking an adequate education.

Although teachers expressed the likelihood that top students would be able to go on to college and do well, they described some students as being lost. Explanations included declining to hold kids back even if they were unable to meet minimal standards, and requiring State Test Standards that force teachers to go forward despite the need to help students go back and fill in the gaps in their knowledge before going forward with new learning.  In addition, teachers found some parents too lax in accountability, and perhaps surprisingly, cell phones in classrooms were not always about interruption from other student's calls but also interruptions from parents calling. 

My research found many reasons for poor learning.  In cities, one of the complaints is overcrowding.  Teachers have so many students that providing individual help is nearly impossible.  This is not only frustrating to teachers but also discouraging for students who need help and feel helpless about the lack of opportunity to find it.

Many students are unlikely to seek help, and unless there are ways to push them to their full potential, they will only fall further behind.  Unfortunately, not all families are able or willing to help, not only because they lack the time or the skills, but also because some do not see the importance of their responsibility to be a part of their children's education, declining to enforce discipline at home or even making excuses for their children's lack of effort at school.

The effort to avoid making children feel inadequate by giving every child a trophy may have been well intentioned, but the result created a false sense of success.  Just as passing kids along when they have not learned enough to build to the next level leaves them even more likely to continue failing.  These problems existed even before Covid, but the lack of classroom teaching during all those months certainly made things worse for most students.

Next week's blog will explore whether lessons were learned and changes were made to education because of Covid.

 f.n.   The tallest woman in the back row is my great aunt, Anna Marie Beck, teacher, three times elected County Superintendent, and employed in the Education Department in Topeka (State Capital).

 

Making Childhood Memories

 Richard Louv prefaced his book, Last Child in the Woods, with a quote from a 4th grader.  "I like to play indoors better 'cause that's where all the electrical outlets are."  The subtitle of Louv's book is "Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder." In farming communities and smaller towns, it may be easier to make sure that children spend time outdoors.  Pratt, Kansas seems to be a good example of a community that provides a variety of places to encourage kids to get outside--from a natural park to playgrounds to a wonderful ballpark.  Yet, the balance between the need to protect kids adequately while also encouraging the freedom to explore and take risks that build both courage and good judgement seems to be increasingly difficult.

It was a photograph from 1900 of children playing on playground equipment that inspired this blog.  Can you imagine the community uproar such a dangerous place to play would bring today!  The school superintendent would be fired, the school board would be sued, and parents would carry guilt for failing to protect their children from exposure to such danger.

Today the Consumer Product Safety commission has a Public Playground Safety Checklist requiring such things as "at least 2 inches wood chips, mulch, sand, or pea gravel, or mats made of safety-tested rubber or rubber-like materials for playgrounds, as well as the play area to be covered.  The list includes all kinds of potential dangers to check against regularly and concludes with the need to "Carefully supervise children on playgrounds to make sure they're safe."

I am not suggesting that the listing of possible playground dangers are irrelevant or that supervision is unnecessary.  I am just considering what the explanation is for why so many of the wonderful parks I see are often empty.  Has our desire to keep children safe stolen the desire for adventure that is necessary to pull them away from the lure of the internet?   

When I went online to see what playground equipment could be purchased today, I found many colorful and elaborate examples, available at prices that shocked me.  One example, 'on sale,' cost $30,500!  I'm sure it met all of the safety requirements, although it didn't seem to include the wood chips, mulch, sand, or pea gravel surfacing recommended by the Consumer Product Safety commission.  I'm sure that children might be excited to see such a colorful thing, with five or six safe, fairly low slides.  However, I could not help but wonder how many times the fun of sliding down those safe, low slides would last.  Or, whether all the bright colors and carefully positioned options had left much room for imagination? 

I am probably the wrong person to be evaluating how to encourage children to make childhood memories they will never forget, for I am relying on my own memories of a different time--playing in the pasture without fear of snakes or poking out my eye with a sandhill plum thorn (although both of those things would have been possible).  I wandered country roads far from home without fear, grabbed an old rope thrown up to me by my older brother and leaped out into space to wrap my legs around an old gunny sack with a little straw inside to soar through the air, never worrying about whether the strength of an old cottonwood tree limb could hold me.  I am sure that I did countless things that were quite dangerous, and I know that times have changed and parents must be more watchful than my parents were.  I am sure there must have been broken arms or worse that happened, and I know of the injury of a young classmate who fell from a horse.  There were and are dangers for unsupervised children.    

Now perhaps the greatest dangers parents face have nothing to do with the dangers I faced as a child.  As wonderful as the internet is, it brings dangers my parents never needed to consider.

Maybe the 1900 photograph that inspired this blog had its own secrets of broken arms or worse.  Obviously, that playground equipment was crazy dangerous, even then.  I am not blind to all of the dangers parents and teachers must face today.  

I guess that my point is that there has always been the need for balancing risk.  I am fearful of the risks of AI.  I understand the potential abuse of the internet.  I know that our world has changed, and kids no longer have trees in their backyards to climb or entirely safe roads to walk alone.  However, somehow, we need to find ways to balance safety and risk.  We need to provide opportunities without overlooking responsibility.  And none of this is easy!  

Service to the Nation

 

When I saw a photograph of a returning WW II soldier, with a caption describing that the soldier had been gone for over 4 years, most of which time was as a Prisoner of War, with no news of his fate, I thought about the hardship for both him and his family.

I also thought about the courage of John McCain, imprisoned in Hanoi, who refused to be released so long as other soldiers remained in prison.

The courage and suffering withstood by soldiers continues even today, and they deserve enormous respect, regardless of how history and current events view the wars themselves.

 My blog of April 24, 2024, asked "Why Wars?" but it didn't really answer the question.  It was, however, encouraging to know that the training of West Point soldiers includes avoiding wars, as well as how to fight them.

I am sure that those students pitching tents on campuses and destroying property and blocking other students trying to get to classes believe they are doing the right thing, although I am not sure that they are doing much that is constructive. Have they studied history?  Have they been used by outsiders whose motives were not at all aligned with what the students intended.  Have they considered the expense their parents have suffered to send them to college, or strangers who contributed to scholarships, or taxpayers whose money assists colleges?

When they were not in class, did they study the history that led to war?  Before pitching their tents and   joining in the chants begun by others, what did they do to fully understand the history leading up to the present animosity?  In short, what efforts did they take to more fully understand the complex history of this dispute? Were they aware that Israelis were unhappy with Netanyahu's leadership and were exercising political ways to resolve problems?  Did they research the history of Hamas and the mistreatment they imposed to retain power?  Did they consider the broader impact involving other countries in that region?

Do they realize that at least 1.3 million active-duty members of the military are stationed at home and abroad, not to fight but rather to keep the peace?  Have they spoken with any of the soldiers from diverse backgrounds about what they are actually doing to keep the peace, out of a sense of patriotism and civic duty.  Were they as disturbed by the slaughter of innocent people at a music festival, the use of rape as a weapon, the killing of babies, as they were by Israel's response?  In short, did they try to turn their energy to considering the full perspective of the situation and ways that might resolve a smoldering animosity that has simmered for generations without resolve? 

It is important that their generation should care about what is happening in the world, but what do they really know about Hamas and the history of that region?  Did they consider the pressure on Netanyahu by his own people to reduce hostilities with their neighbors prior to the war, or America's efforts to exert influence before this war began.  Do they know the history of the Holocaust that led to the decision to find a home for Jews?  Do they understand the influence of other countries in that region?  

Maybe they do know some of these things, but has what they are doing done much or anything to support America's efforts to find a peaceful solution or to suggest ways to resolve this simmering hatred and maze of conflicting claims to the disputed territory?  

I have done considerable reading, trying to understand and reflect on what might be done productively.  I do not know the answers.  However, I will continue reading history to learn the mistakes and successes of the past in order to better understand the present.  I believe time spent in the library to understand the complexity of this troubled land, reaching out to elected officials to share informed concerns, and voting for those who seem responsible representatives, makes more sense than pitching tents and disrupting classes.  I also see the role of professors to teach, not to advocate--to encourage students to become informed, not to inform them of their own particular opinions.  

As our world becomes more complicated and dangerous, we need great teachers, wise politicians, and responsible voters, and it seems we also need brave soldiers to help us keep the peace.  I know that on Memorial Day, if I see someone who has served this nation, I will thank them for their service.  

Poppies & Memories

World War 1 poster

 Many traditions seem to be waning in recent years.  I remember, as a child, the importance of Memorial Day--dressing in our 'Sunday Best,' not to attend church but rather to go to the cemetery to place flowers on family graves.  In high school I marched in the band on Memorial Day.    The cemetery was crowded with people, and most graves were decorated with flowers.  My great-grandfather was a Civil War veteran, so his grave was marked with a flag.

I remember the poppies, but I am not certain that I understood their meaning.  Perhaps all of us need an occasional reminder.

Poppy seeds can lie dormant for up to 100 years, bursting from the ground when the soil they had slept in is disturbed and sunlight awakens the seeds to burst into bloom.  During W.W. I the bombing and digging of trenches, as well as mass graves, created the conditions to cause millions of poppies to burst into bloom.  

 A Canadian physician, Lt. Colonel John McCrae, was struck by the juxtaposition of the darkness of war and the beauty of the bright red poppies, the contrast inspiring him to compose the poem "In Flanders Fields," writing "In Flanders fields the poppies blow between the crosses, row on row..."

American Moina Michael was in Germany when the first World War broke out, and later McCrae's poem inspired her, particularly after teaching a class of disabled servicemen at the University of Georgia following the war.  Her desire to support men like her students, in need of financial and occupational support, led to the idea of selling silk poppies to raise money. 

Another woman, in France, Anna Cuerin, had a similar idea, using poppies to raise money for widows, orphans and veterans, as well as helping to fund post war restoration efforts.

As Memorial Day draws near, it is important to remember the sacrifices other have made for us through their service, even giving their lives for their country.  

There are many ways to show respect to those who served the country, whether simply reflecting on their sacrifice, thanking those who served, or contributing to programs that assist veterans.  Another way to show respect is to take time to learn about our nation's history--the unique Constitution and those who have protected it in many ways--in court rooms, classrooms, books, movies, and other ways.

Lt. Colonel McCrae showed his respect in a poem.  Moina Micheal and Anna Cuerin used poppies to help us remember and to raise money to help as well.

This year, on Memorial Day, consider pausing to recall the words from "In Flanders Field."  

"We are the Dead.  Short days ago   We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,   Loved, and were loved, and now we lie   In Flander fields."

  

The Truth & Nothing But!

 

He marched as best he could, stood at attention, finally accepted a chair, but stayed!  Duty first.

Those of you who follow my blog know that I have written about the shaky attitude many people have about telling the truth.  Whether it is stretching the truth a tiny bit to make a better story, or simply telling a whopper, research shows that many people find it difficult to stick to the absolute truth.

There is a difference between shading the facts a little in a simple conversation or simply getting the truth wrong innocently because of forgetfulness or mistaken belief.  Taking an oath is significantly different. If you are accused of perjury -- willfully and knowingly lying after taking an oath to tell the truth, there can be consequences.  If you lie or sign a document that you know contains false assertions, you can serve up to 4 years in state prison and be ordered to pay thousands of dollars in fines. 

We are familiar with Presidents swearing with their hand on a Bible, but it isn't the Bible that makes the oath obligatory.  John Quincy Adams swore on a book of law.  Teddy Roosevelt did not swear on any book at all.  It is the declaration of telling the truth that makes the oath binding. 

Government offices, including civil servants and notaries must take an oath.  Law enforcement must swear to support the Constitution, their state Constitution, the laws of their jurisdiction, and to ensure safety and quality of life of the communities they serve.  Certain professions are required to take oaths, such as doctors and dentists. Lawyers must take an oath, and the content of the oath differs from state to state.

Lawyer's oaths in the early years of our nation were pretty simple--just "do no falsehood."  Or it was suggested that lawyers were expected to "faithfully and honestly demean myself...and to comply with public obligations," but there was no provision for what that meant.  Today, each state determines their obligation, some relatively brief while others are fairly detailed.  Concern about the disrespectful demeaner shown by many lawyers in courtrooms has led to Lawyer Civility Oaths in some states, requiring that opposing counsel be treated "with respect and dignity."   

 Of course, those who are elected by the people to serve in state and national offices have particular responsibilities, which they swear to perform.  Members of the supreme Court, who are not elected, swear to administer justice without respect to persons & do equal right to the poor and to the rich and faithfully and impartially discharge & perform all the duties incumbent on them under the constitution and laws of the United States.  

Enlisted personal swear allegiance to the Constitution, the President, and Officers.  However, Officers swear an oath to the constitution only.  The Founding Fathers wisely limited Officers' oath to only the Constitution in order to protect against officers being bound to follow the orders of a dictator, an example of the checks and balances wisely anticipated by the Founding Fathers.

In a time when telling the truth is less assured than perhaps it once was, the responsibility of taking an oath of office becomes even more important.  Our legal system depends upon the responsibility of everyone in a court room to respect the oaths and duties they assume--the witnesses, the jury, the respectful behavior of those in the court room, the Judge, the lawyers, and those reporting the news--with accuracy and without bias.

It is true that we as a nation are more polarized than perhaps in other times.  It is true that many traditional customs have been discarded or weakened.  It is true that respect in general for many things are not faithfully observed.  Some of that may be good, but some of it may not be.  As the old saying goes, we have shown ourselves capable of being able to right the ship even if it begins to flounder.  But disrespect for the checks and balances the Founding Fathers gave us is not something to disregard.  While we can hope that the checks and balances they put in place will hold, we must not test that balance to its extremes, and each of us shares that responsibility.