Our last election cycle has generated much discussion from news outlets and political pundits about the reversal of the Board of Education from a McIntyre "rubber stamp" board to a pro-educator board. The continued framing of this discussion about the Board being pro-teacher concerns me.
The question is often asked, "Will these former educators be able to move beyond defending their colleagues--and advocating for teachers-- to overseeing a school system the size of Knox County Schools?" The people who continue to pursue this train of thought show how little they know about education. (This was even a major point made in one of the more recent campaigns for a school board seat, and fortunately the public voted otherwise.) I can speak for myself and whole-heartily believe the people elected to serve on the current board are the very ones in our community who have been putting children first for years. Those educators elected to the Board chose putting children first and doing what is best for the students of Knox County as their life occupation. It certainly wasn't for the status, money, or the working conditions the past ten years. So why would they not continue to be the best advocates for children? Many educators often sacrifice personal health, wealth and their own families to meet the needs of the children entrusted to their care in the classroom.
What those outside of the education sphere do not understand--or choose not to realize--is that teachers are the primary care givers to students for eight or more hours of the day. Teachers are the ones who model, challenge, and encourage. They educate, listen, bandage boo-boos, and buy needed supplies.
Let the community rest assured that those you have elected will do what is best for all the children of Knox County Schools. And who knows better than those whose life mission has been and will always be what is best for students?
So let's move past this rhetoric and the "us versus them" mentality that has been part of Knox County School's leadership and do what is best for kids. I am ready.....are you? Let's reunite Knox County!
The question is often asked, "Will these former educators be able to move beyond defending their colleagues--and advocating for teachers-- to overseeing a school system the size of Knox County Schools?" The people who continue to pursue this train of thought show how little they know about education. (This was even a major point made in one of the more recent campaigns for a school board seat, and fortunately the public voted otherwise.) I can speak for myself and whole-heartily believe the people elected to serve on the current board are the very ones in our community who have been putting children first for years. Those educators elected to the Board chose putting children first and doing what is best for the students of Knox County as their life occupation. It certainly wasn't for the status, money, or the working conditions the past ten years. So why would they not continue to be the best advocates for children? Many educators often sacrifice personal health, wealth and their own families to meet the needs of the children entrusted to their care in the classroom.
What those outside of the education sphere do not understand--or choose not to realize--is that teachers are the primary care givers to students for eight or more hours of the day. Teachers are the ones who model, challenge, and encourage. They educate, listen, bandage boo-boos, and buy needed supplies.
Let the community rest assured that those you have elected will do what is best for all the children of Knox County Schools. And who knows better than those whose life mission has been and will always be what is best for students?
So let's move past this rhetoric and the "us versus them" mentality that has been part of Knox County School's leadership and do what is best for kids. I am ready.....are you? Let's reunite Knox County!
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