Public education and our economy...

If you chose the field of education, you did so to lead and inspire students - all students. Those students who need us the most are often not the easiest to reach. This is directly related to our economy as it will not fix it self.  Students don't stay 11 or 12, or 17 and 18 for ever...  They grow up and become adults.  For those of us in the field of public education, it is paramount that we understand the connection between our students today and our economic growth tomorrow. It is time to stop blaming other countries for taking "our jobs".  No such thing...  American business owners took those jobs somewhere else - in other words we did it to ourselves when it comes to the health of our economy! Kudos to those teachers and principals who are visionaries and understand that all children matter - not just some.  Press on! Kudos to those in the field of public education who understand that "serving" the public is that, customer service!  We should all continue to provide the skills students will need after high school as they decide to either enter the workforce, continue their education, or protect our country. But we have a short time in which to do so  - between Kindergarten and 12th grade. We still have too many dropouts, and, in the second decade of the 21st century, we continue to celebrate a high school graduation with the same pump and circumstance that marked the end a person's educational preparation in America in the 1800's. In the second decade of the 21st century, we still have too many students in America who are not participating in science or mathematics competitions, for no other reason but no one at their school has the "time" to lead and/or sponsor a team - including the principal as the instructional leader of a school.  Kudos to those educators who recognize the importance of science fairs, science Olympiads, arts, mathematics and/or robotics competitions in the life of a child. Curiosity will not be sparked if students are not exposed to such opportunities. The economy will not fix it self - we have to do our part in the field of public education. Success does not happen by chance!