week 3 post- Moskowitz

 

I was not surprised that the strike would happen since I knew from going to the PD at my school and talking to teachers at Walsh that the strike would most likely happen. What I was surprised at was the duration of the strike and the perception by the local media and the national media. I have found that more Chicagoans than I expected to want the teachers to go back work and blame them for the children being out of school. I learned, however, from an intern that back in Michigan, the national news has portrayed the teachers for having more merit for the strike. I think the main issue, when everything is debated about until dawn, is the responsibility of the teacher for the child’s education. There are many factors when trying to figure out where and to whom to place the responsibility of education a child, and too much is placed on the teacher I believe.

            Teachers can only do so much. The district standards, state testing, and other requirements create pressure, relatively new pressure that many school districts now face.  Teaching has become, with little recognition from the public, more complex because the focus and pedagogical styles of teachers need to coincide with meeting such mandates since teachers’ jobs and school funding relies on the success of certain statistical factors. However, a child’s education does not begin and end in the classroom. Parents need to monitor the children’s homework, test scores, nutritional and exercise habits, and well-being for the student to be successful in the classroom. Communities need to value education and provide opportunities for children to expand their knowledge. Government officials need to work with district workers to take care of budgeting and make sure classrooms are provided with adequate, current, and challenging text books and materials. (Illinois ranks 50^th in education funding) Principals need to make sure curriculum is well rounded and teachers have the appropriate means to meet district, state, and other requirements and standards. And lastly, I believe society needs to take a deeper look at education in America. The gap in education of a rich child and a poor child, and for that matter, a suburban and a rural or city child is absurdly profound. As is the cost of a college education, not to mention today’s available workforce is slim and many carriers require multiple degrees. I strongly think that before someone takes a stance on whether teachers should be striking, they should take a look at the whole spectrum in regards to how a child is educated in our country and then evaluate Chicago’s predicament.

            Another thing to add, as I was walking around Pilsen I admired so much the murals and positive message they painted, literally, over community. Some were positive images while others were famous quotes or student’s quotes of inspiration, motivation, life, and other invigorating topics. Also, the amount of Mexican food; restaurants and bakeries, is exciting!!