We Need to Ensure Our Kids' Futures
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As I looked through my stack of mail the other day, there was the return address I had been eagerly waiting for: The North Carolina Teacher’s Academy acknowledgment letter had arrived!
You see, two other colleagues (Catherine Sigmon Mitchell and Pam Brady) and I were applying for a four-day workshop learning new strategies in the instruction of ESL (English as a Second Language) students. We would travel to a college and not only be instructed on such a relevant topic but have the opportunity to collaborate and engage in discussions with educators from all over the state of North Carolina.
Unfortunately, the first paragraph immediately squashed any enthusiasm. It read, “The N.C. House of Representatives has eliminated funding for the N.C. Teacher Academy from its budget. Every program with the word ‘teacher’ in it appears to be vulnerable to the actions of the General Assembly.”
Why do the powers that be continue to take away from the thousands of dedicated teachers in this wonderful state? How can those in our government honestly say they want the best for our children? We would ask you to respectively reconsider your decision in order for the teachers of North Carolina to remain life-long learners. We would ask that we would be given the opportunity to enhance the 21st century skills needed by our children in order to ensure their future success.
Elizabeth Herman-Medeiros
Southern Pines
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Comments
Aberdeeniac 2 years ago
Let me get this straight, you and two co-workers applied to go on a four day tax payer funded trip so you three could learn how to more effectively teach students English as a second language? What group of students does this workshop target? Illegal immigrants? If that was so important to you, could you have not setup an internet meeting or conference call to achieve the same results? Sorry, but this tax paying citizen (your employer) is not going to pay for that…… ever…..
peacemaker 2 years ago
Yes, you pay taxes but you are far from her employer. The taxes you pay probably go towards many things you have no say over. Sorry, last I checked we couldn't pick and choose what our taxes were designated for.... ever... However, if I could, I would designate my tax money to go towards a teacher willing to leave her family for four days to gain greater knowledege of her subject area. She represents a quality program that benefits children.
Aberdeeniac 2 years ago
Your whole statement is askew, when someone works in the public sector the tax payers ARE THEIR EMPLOYER, period end of story. It’s only when tax payers are looked at solely as a money source with no say that we end up funding wasteful projects such as “English as a Second Language”. I’m not against education at all, but we need to spend our money wisely. And lastly, I do have a choice on what my tax dollars will support….. It’s called voting!!
peacemaker 2 years ago
Education is taking many hard cuts..... As a voter and tax payer - I didn't make that decision with my vote or my tax dollars.
school_teacher 2 years ago
Time to pull back the curtain a little bit. I know one of the teachers mentioned in the column and she is NOT an ESL teacher. She is a teacher for the hearing impaired. Recent research has shown that strategies used with ESL students are also beneficial to hearing impaired students. This teacher is going so she can learn how to better serve children who have hearing problems. Do you have a problem with her going on this trip to learn how to better help children that have hearing impairments or should we let these children suffer like you propose with ESL students?
school_teacher 2 years ago
The children who would benefit from such services were more than likely born here so they are in fact citizens, entitled to the same services as any other child living in Moore County.
As for the loss of funding, they will continue to cut until they drain education dry. Once they do that they will move on to the next department, most likely transportation. The sad thing is that 10 years these same law makers will come to us wondering why dropout rates are so high and test scores are low, never once looking at the real problem which would be staring at them in the mirror. And why would they really care, their children are either in college or private school.
Aberdeeniac 2 years ago
Have their parents purchase a copy of Rosetta Stone, they can then sit down with their children and learn the ENGLISH language together. The real sad thing is if the Federal Government enforced the immigration laws that are currently on the books we would not be having this conversation.
SnakeFlag1 2 years ago
I am not a school teacher, but in my work I teach adults. Where can I sign up for a four day expense paid trip to enhance my teaching ability? I am getting tired of PAYING MY OWN WAY!
hotdiggity 2 years ago
This is a serious question that needs to be answered and has nothing to do with the use of tax-payer money. How does taking a child here in the US, being legal or illegal, and teaching Spanish as a primary language and English as a secondary language ensure that child's future? My next question would be, actually WHO does this benefit? There is no logical answer.
school_teacher 2 years ago
ESL teachers are teaching children who speak another language at home, how to speak and comprehend English. They are not teaching them how to speak another language or teaching them in another language. Many children who live in the northern end of the county come to school not knowing how to speak ANY English. Without ESL services these children would never catch up.
teufelhunden 2 years ago
Legal parents need to assimilate & learn English-show your children that you value American citizenship. As far as illegals are concerned, I agree with Aberdeeniac.
Amazed 2 years ago
Every other professional industry pays for their own 'continuing education'; why not teachers? realtors, lawyers, accountants, doctors, etc. You can normally write off such expenses on your tax return.