teachers

Why School Matters: The Importance of Education Today

/ Rebecca J. Whitman / 1 Comment

Let’s talk about why school matters (or if it does at all). This is something that I never used to question. In fact, it is something that students in general never questioned till recently. According to a recent survey, over 40% of high school students consider themselves disengaged now. I really blame Covid for that because everyone seemed to come back with an apathy for education and others like they just don’t care or want to care about anything beyond themselves. I’m not alone in this assessment either. A lot of research is showing that there has been a shift in students since Covid that is resulting in lower performance in schools. In short, kids don’t see why they should care anymore.

I think the best answer for why school matters is to imagine a world where school doesn’t exist at all. What would happen to our knowledge then? Would we read? Do our own math? Do any experiments? If so, how would we know what to do? I think the point of K-12 is that it is the foundation of everything else you will ever learn in life. You can’t read without the foundation of first learning how to read and why it is important. You can’t argue without someone teaching you how to articulate a good argument. You can’t make change in a restaurant without someone teaching you the basics of adding and subtraction.

All life boils down to what we know and how we apply it. Knowledge is power and creates true haves and have nots when people ignore or devalue it. We teach the past and a lot of things that are not happening now because those who do not know their past are doomed to repeat it. In literature, we teach the past because all other writing today builds upon the knowledge of the greats that went before us; we want to keep people knowing the foundations of what made us today. Some of my first poems were written in response to something Lord Byron said that angered me. I can’t imagine a world that doesn’t know or care about Byron or Shakespeare or any of the rest. 

There may be a lot of problems–and even some redundancy–in K-12 education today, but we still need it. K-12 education is all about teaching you how to be a human, how to know what the rest of us know, and how to contribute to society. Education gets more specific from here, but that base foundation is everything we all stand equally on. Without it, how can we hope to be a civilized society at all?

What It Means To Be A Teacher: Wisdom from a Mentor, Dr. Gerald Parker

/ Rebecca J. Whitman / 1 Comment

He comes in early in the morning to share a cup of coffee and meet new people. He is always smiling; the wrinkles behind his white whiskers leave a trail upwards. He is enthusiastic and kind; he loves to sit and just listen to people, but he usually has a word of advice to give them too. No one would know he ever struggled with education and reading; he went on to get a doctorate degree. He doesn’t claim to be of special importance, but he founded the first ABSPD Institute. Though he is retired, he comes out of retirement every summer to share with other younger instructors at Institute. He is a treasure of wisdom and experience. He is a man who had every excuse to be disgruntled in life but remains optimistic. He’s an inspiration. That’s who Dr. Gerald Parker is. Here’s what he said about teachers.

Who are WE? What are WE doing here? Where are we going?

In Soviet times, an old Rabbi was approached by a young man from the local militia. “Who are you? What are you doing here? Where are you going?”

The Rabbi responded, “How much do they pay you to ask those questions?”

“Two rubies a day,” was his proud reply.

“Each time you see me, I’ll pay you two rubies if you’ll keep asking me those questions.”

So–Who are WE? What are WE doing here? Where are we going?

We are gifts…

To the one who fears rejection — we show acceptance.

To the one who fears inadequacy — we guide step by step as their fears melt away.

To the one who feels disconnected — we build community.

To the one who feels lonely — we listen.

To the one who has experience failure — day by day, we celebrate success.

To the powerless — we give a pen and a voice.

To those who feel defective — we celebrate their uniqueness.

To those who feel worthless — they see reflected in our eyes — they are priceless.

To those who feel abandoned — we help reclaim as treasures.

Who are we? We are adult educators!

What are we doing here? We are making a difference that really matters!!

Who are we — roots on a tree, quiet and mostly unseen, giving life and nurture.

Who are we — air under the wings of a bird — lifting those who were caged to new heights.

Who are we — gifts — precious gifts of hope, fostering transformation of lives who will never be the same.

Who are we — bridges to expanding opportunities.

Who are we — high touch in a high-tech world.

Who are we — God’s instruments — giving “wings to caterpillars”

Who are we –blessed–far beyond what we deserve.

Where are we going? Intentionally pursuing what MATTERS!! Helping ourselves and others become more than we ever dreamed we could become!

More Wisdom from Dr. Parker

What if you could buy someone for what they think they are worth and resell them for what they are really worth? –Dr. Gerald Parker

Your fruit grows on other peoples’ trees. –Dr. Gerald Parker

The most effective professional development for me was becoming good friends with my students and finding out what worked for them, what didn’t, and how I could have done it better. –Dr. Gerald Parker

I’ve never met anyone who couldn’t teach me something. Ask people: “What are you really good at? How did you learn to do that?” –Dr. Gerald Parker

The best tutor I have ever had is the one that married me. –Dr. Gerald Parker

One person with passion can accomplish more than many with a mere interest in something. –Dr. Gerald Parker