RE: [pf] public schools/ was we took...

by Fitzsimmons, Diane

11 December 2000 15:31 UTC

Here is a story my 14yo daughter's teacher shared with us at parent-teacher
conference, to illustrate why she was complimenting our daughter's behavior.

An assistant principal recently left our middle school to become a full-time
mom.  This principal has a bubbly, over-the-top positive attitude.  She is
known for constantly telling the students "I love you."  The nervous,
insecure 6th-graders love her.  By the time they get to 8th grade, they find
her behavior nauseating.

Anyway, in my daughter's 8th-grade language arts class, they were discussing
this assistant principal, and the kids were going on and on about how they
couldn't stand that lovey-dovey stuff.

You know," my daugher said, "we get to hear 'I love you' a lot, but there
are lots of kids that don't.  Dr. ---- says 'I love you' to everyone so that
she can make sure she says it to the kids who don't have anyone else to say
it."

That's how I feel about the public schools.  Yes, there's mismanagement.
Yes, there's lousy teachers.  Yes, there's out-of-control kids.  But, like
it or not, it's about the only publicly supported institution we have to
make *some* effort to help the kids who don't get to hear 'I love you.'

I'm not saying it couldn't be done better.  I'm just saying that's about all
we have.

I went to several athletic events this fall for our middle school.  The
principal was there roaming the grounds, visiting with kids, usually
collaring miscreants and re-directing them into more purposeful behavior.
Several teachers were in the stands talking with students.  Others were
working the concession stand to raise money for the school.  Not only do
they not get paid for this, they *pay* to get into the game to have the
privilege of working.

For this, in our state at least, they get paid a pittance, starting salary
of $25,000 a year (that includes the benefits) in our.  I have ecen recently
seen a financial advising firm advertise recently a "dramatic" commercial in
which the firm talks about how they help a man "pre-retire" through their
great investments so he can go be a teacher.  That seems pretty evident to
me that someone on Madison Avenue thinks one cannot afford to live
comfortably on a teacher's salary without a tidy nest egg drawing interest.

I am thankful there are people like Molly's sister willing to work within a
flawed but necessary system just so some kids can hear 'I love you.'

Diane Fitzsimmons
Norman, Okla.