The
Good, The Bad... Education
by Rachel Stockman
Indeed, America should be very proud of their educational system, but we are always interested in improving our status and ability to compete. Most kids are attending schools and getting an adequate education. How could it be better? I spoke with a couple of authorities, who by no means represent the whole picture. However, they both gave me wonderful insights and perspectives to think about.
When TeenSpeak asked Mrs. Sandy Waters, a parent dedicated to improving public school education, and a member of the Board of Education in Greenwich, Connecticut, just what education meant, she responded, "Well, in Greenwich, the Board's mission is to educate each child so that they reach their academic potential." That answer elicited the following question: How do you educate a student so that they can attain their scholastic potential with all of the burdens and blockades that ordinary life bring upon one? To which Mrs. Waters replied, "Students have to be motivated."
If you have ever suffered through an hour and a half of an English class that forces you to count the seconds until the bell rings, you will know exactly what "unmotivated" means. Who does our society count on to motivate and inspire students in order for them to reach this "academic potential"? Our teachers. As we have figured out, teachers play an essential role in the academic development of a person.
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