The Education Viewpoint is a monthly column written in rotation by the Allegan County Public Schools Superintendents. This article is not the opinion of all the superintendents or of this website.
|
|
Written by Kevin Harness, Allegan Public Schools Superintendent
|
|
Thursday, 14 February 2008 |
|
Education, and specifically K-12 public education, is increasingly the topic of conversation and debate in many arenas. Whether it is the presidential campaign mantra, the Governor’s State of the State address, or just a friendly conversation among us common folk at the local coffee shop, the hands on the clock rarely move too far before the subject of educating today’s youth enters the conversation. The economy and the war in Iraq may top the debate charts, but for many, education is not a too distant third. I, for one, believe it is healthy for education to be such a frequent topic of discussion. After all, don’t we learn by listening and sharing our ideas with others? Isn’t our discussion and debate itself a form of education? What more impactful topic is there to discuss than the success or failure of our American educational system? |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Written by Eivor Swan, Superintendent, Wayland Union Schools
|
|
Tuesday, 23 October 2007 |
|
At a dinner party when guests were sitting around the table discussing life, one man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, “What’s a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?” He reminded the other dinner guests what they said about teachers: “Those who can do. Those who can’t, teach.” To stress his point he said to another guest: “You are a teacher, Jim. Be honest. What do you make?” Jim, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, “You want to know what I make? (He paused for a second, and then began…) |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
An Equal Chance to Succeed |
|
|
|
|
Written by Sue Wakefield, Superintendent, Plainwell Community Schools
|
|
Thursday, 17 May 2007 |
|
This has been an interesting time to be a first–year superintendent. Financial problems have made it particularly challenging. But I can’t say that I wasn’t forewarned. |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Written by Bruce Foerch, Director, Discovery School
|
|
Friday, 10 November 2006 |
|
What a great country we live in. We have freedoms and choices that are unprecedented in the history of world cultures. Throughout the world we are known as, “The land of the free and the home of the brave.” Even with our problems as a country, people from other countries are investing their life savings in order to legally become an American. Others are literally risking their lives to come here illegally in hopes of having the things that many of us take for granted. |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
The Changing Environment of Today's Public Education |
|
|
|
|
Written by Ron Fuller, Superintendent, Allegan Area Educational Service Agency
|
|
Friday, 22 September 2006 |
|
If you have not been in one of your local schools when teaching and learning is “happening”, you may not realize that American public schools are in a huge environment of change. Just visit any classroom in today’s schools, and this change can first be clearly seen in the diversity of the student population. You will see a student body learning together that is growing more ethnically, racially and economically diverse. This diversity requires teachers to be creative and innovative in their teaching techniques to successfully serve the diverse educational needs of these students. |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Education - Popular Political Football |
|
|
|
|
Written by Kevin Harness, Superintendent, Allegan Public Schools
|
|
Tuesday, 01 August 2006 |
|
Regrettably, we have allowed education to become one of our most popular political footballs. We as educators in Michigan must stay informed on a weekly, if not daily basis concerning what direction our educational institutions will be kicked by our well intentioned politicians in Washington and Lansing. And I do believe many of our state and federal politicians are well intentioned. The problem is, true positive impact for our students will not result by legislating a “one size fits all” hoop for all students to jump through, or should I say goal post to be kicked through. |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
|
