A Forum for Community Issues : Modest Proposal : Teachers Could Use Some Christmas Help

O ne hundred years from now it will not matter:

What kind of car I drove,

What kind of home I lived in,

How much money I had in my account,

Nor what my clothes looked like;

But the world may be a little better

Because I was important in the life of a child.

This anonymous poem hangs on many a teacher’s wall. But let’s face it: Public education is in serious trouble. Every politician can point to some model school where children are using the latest politically correct strategy to “feel good about themselves” or score 1600 on the SAT. But our children often are not behaving, creating or working in ways that are healthy.

One of the great myths regarding public education is that people no longer care. This is simply not true. I have learned that the public cares a great deal.

When I give a talk, I am asked: “Public education will determine the future of our nation, for better or for worse. How can I help?” On this point I think I can make a suggestion.

While we can make school districts smaller, activate school-based management schemes, paint the classrooms a different color and call it thematic teaching, it is the classroom teacher who makes the difference. The teacher is the show. Think back to your best moment in school. It was not because of school-based management or what textbook the school board approved. Your best moment was when an individual teacher encouraged, challenged, comforted, scolded or connected with you in some way no one else ever had before.

Here is what you as a concerned member of the public can do: Go to your local school and find a dedicated and inspired teacher. Ask the teacher what classroom supplies he or she desperately needs, because that teacher has already spent some of this month’s paycheck on the class.

Perhaps an English teacher needs 35 copies of John Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men.” A social studies teacher might be trying to get the game “Diplomacy” to lead her students in a thrilling re-enactment of World War I. A coach might need six more volleyballs.

People are amazed to see my 10-year-old students act with Hal Holbrook, Sir Ian McKellen and the Royal Shakespeare Company. They call me the greatest ever. They are way off track. My students were able to learn Shakespeare because people in my community bought the texts for us. My sixth-graders have completed a year of algebra because a former parent bought us new algebra books. My class is unbeatable in volleyball and several of my former students have gone on to win high-school championships. Their early games were played with balls donated by a parent.

These patrons who have helped me also understand that by helping public education, they are helping themselves. When we reach children, our streets become safer, drug use declines, our business community gains a more productive work force and the spread of AIDS can be halted.

There are tens of thousands of potential heroes out there waiting for your call.

Seek out the teacher who quietly goes about the business of helping young people become the best they can be. I know, because before gaining national attention, I was one of those. I still am. There are so many great teachers hidden in your community who are unknown because they spend all of their time teaching.

With the holidays approaching, how about buying one less sweater or basket of candy and spending the same money in a public school classroom? You will never know the years of triumph and joy your gift will bring to some youngsters. Your kindness will be an act of love and patriotism.

And you will have been important in the life of a child.

Second Opinion