The #2 Terrorist Threat
Senator Brent Hill
The Unites States Commission on National Security/21st Century recently stated, "Second only to a weapon of mass destruction detonating in an American city, we can think of nothing more dangerous than a failure to manage properly science, technology, and education for the common good over the next quarter century." (Road Map for National Security: Imperative for Change, Phase III report of the United States Commission on National Security/21st Century, Section II, p. 29.)
As I have contemplated this statement, my mind took me back to high school. How I dreaded taking English that Sophomore year! I was a slow reader and the thought of book reports and reading assignments was terrifying to me. My teacher was Mrs. Merle Hunter. She not only helped me get over my fear of reading, but introduced me to a world of great literature. She taught me not only composition and grammar, but awakened a love for creative writing. Mrs. Hunter changed my life.
So did Mrs. Smith in third grade when she took a very shy, overly sensitive child and helped build my confidence and social skills. I could go on about how Mrs. Gee taught us basic Spanish in fourth grade. I have been fascinated with foreign languages ever since. Or how Norm Holman showed me that I didn’t have to be a great athlete to enjoy sports. During the first twenty-some years of my life, I spent more time with teachers than with anyone except my family. In partnership with my parents, they molded, influenced, disciplined, taught, and loved me. Were they all great? No, sixth grade was the pits. But I learned some important lessons that year too.
So, what is my point? Just this: Few things are going to affect the characters, personalities, attitudes and success of our children more than their educational experience and those who provide it. The economic, social, and political future of this state and this nation is at stake.
I just spent two days in Boise with a group of educators, business people, and policy makers dedicated to improving the state’s math, science and technology education. I met with teachers and administrators from across the state—all concerned about our children. I saw again the passion of Mrs. Hunter and the caring of Mrs. Smith. Such dedication did not leave the profession when they did. Teaching has changed since I was a kid, but the commitment of teachers has not. Their jobs are harder. Science and technology have discovered much more for us to learn and there is more history and government than there was in the 1950s. Discipline in the classroom is almost nil. Language in the hallways is often offensive and attitudes of the students are sometimes hostile. Parents are often uninvolved and occasionally even contribute to the misbehavior of their children. Teachers are more educated and better trained. Yet, I do not see the same high regard for the teaching profession that I felt as a student. My parents taught me to respect teachers. If there were some they did not like, I never knew about it. If I complained about excessive or unnecessary homework, I never got much sympathy. Are there some poor teachers? Yes, I’ve met a couple. I also know some atrocious accountants, some sleazy salesmen, and some lousy legislators. No profession is immune to imperfection. But if I had to choose one profession in which to find the important virtues of compassion, commitment, unselfishness and knowledge, my money’s on education!
So, what is the solution? What can we as parents, citizens, neighbors and friends do? Here are a few suggestions:
Students need to enjoy their educational experience, but they also need to be challenged. Too many grade school students who are excited about math and science lose their interest in middle school and high school when they can opt out of these "difficult" subjects. Then, when they get to college and want to consider careers in engineering, medicine, technology or other math-science related areas, they are not equipped to pursue these fields. The fact is that too few students are qualified to take advantage of these opportunities, even when so inclined.
Let’s attend parent-teacher conferences and take an interest in how and what our children are being taught. Let’s follow-up on homework assignments and actually help our children with their homework. As parents, we must accept responsibility for our children learning. Education should take place in the home as well as in the classroom. We need to reinforce what our children are learning—ask them about their school subjects, talk to them about current events, social activities, the decisions they have to make every day, etc. Stimulate the thinking, reasoning, and analytical processes. And, in all our teaching, let us not neglect to teach our children respect for authority, the value of work, and the need for common courtesy.
Once we understand the contribution teachers are making to our children’s lives, we won’t be able to restrain ourselves from expressing our gratitude. A kind word, a short note, a pat on the back mean a great deal. We must appreciate teachers for what they are—professionals dedicated to our children. I know of no other career that requires so much educational preparation for so little remuneration. It is a career of caring—what could be more professional than that?
In this knowledge-based world, only an America that remains at the cutting edge of education will retain its current world leadership. Only a well-educated society can thrive economically and politically. Complacency with our current achievements and educational standards will put all of this at risk.