I write this letter with a heavy heart, because I
fear that my community is losing not only its mind, but more importantly, its
heart.
A community is a
collection of people, and like any family, contains conflicting opinions and
attitudes. Many a parent has said to a
child, “I don’t like your actions, but I will always love you.” Yet, I watch as
we turn on our neighbors with unprecendented levels of anger and vitriol.
Many nations of the world realize the importance of education, sacrificing
everything for their children's schooling. Many children walk miles or
hours to get to school. Recently, I watched a story
about a small Himalayan village where children walk several days through
glaciers, mountain passes, and inclement weather to reach a school where they stay for months.
Yet, I hear members of
this community attacking our teachers, the very
people working tohelp our children
become our future society. Every one of us has been deeply influenced and
inspired by a teacher. I cannot say the same
about doctors or lawyers.
If you have concerns
about our educational system in this state or this country (as you should),
write to your officials or
visit the Ohio Board of
Education. If you are concerned about the unconstitutionality
of how our education is funded through property taxes (as you should), then
write to your officials,
march on Columbus, or come up with a better idea. But teachers are not ideas
and concepts; they are people, and all members of a community should be valued
as the important human beings
they are. Has our privileged Brecksville community lost its mind such that it
cannot discuss opposing viewpoints in a civil and rational manner? Has our
privileged Brecksville community lost its heart such that it must denigrate
members of our community rather than search for understanding?
Attacking our teachers
doesn’t improve our children’s education. Attacking teachers doesn’t fix how
schools are funded. Attacking teachers doesn’t encourage others to moveto our
community. Attacking teachers doesn’t lead to a
solution. Solutions are born of understanding, of working together.
I hope that our
hearts still beat and that our community can come to value the worth
of each of its members far above that of money or any other concept. I hope
that we can fight for our teachers, even while we fight to improve education for our
children.
