Parents Take Note

I found Gwana J. Ajibola’s letter to the editor (March 4) supporting “teacher bashing” completely repugnant. Ajibola writes in thoughtless generalizations. “San Diego Unified School District has failed our children.”

Let’s face it, a love for education and the pursuit of moral values begins in the home. I suggest that parents become more involved in the formal education the schools provide. It is indeed a tragedy when I make a phone call to a parent regarding a student’s progress and the response is, “Well, there’s nothing I can do.” It is tragic when the schools provide open houses and the parents of the students who are having difficulty with academic classes do not attend. It is tragic when warning letters regarding a student’s progress are mailed home and there is no response from the parent. Who then is responsible?

Many teachers in San Diego city schools are providing an outstanding education for the children of this city. I suggest that parents become more involved with their children and their schools. Take young children to the public library on a weekly basis. Teach them a love for reading, good music, art and theater at a young age. Reinforce what they learn at school at home, and most importantly, set good examples. It is then that the failure and dropout rate will be reduced.

The school is not the answer to everything. Most teachers in San Diego city high schools, for example, teach approximately 175 students each day. Counselors often have a work load of in excess of 400 students. Many teachers have made a difference in the lives of their students, but it is virtually impossible to reach out and touch everyone. This is why parental support and encouragement is so vital in developing each child’s love and respect for education.

Gwana Ajibola concludes her letter by saying, “Teacher bashing is accountability. Let 1990 be the year for teaching bashing.” I conclude by saying the suggestion of teaching bashing is an insidious and tragic attempt to make all teachers scapegoats for a far more complex issue.

LARRY E. ZEIGER

A teacher at Point Loma High School