Education is the great equalizer

Friday, Nov. 20, 2009

Nov. 15 to 21 marks the 88th annual observance of American Education Week. It was started in 1921 when the American Legion and the National Education Association wanted to call attention to public schools and the education of our youth. Both organizations were motivated to action by the knowledge that 25 percent of those drafted into World War I were illiterate and 9 percent were physically unfit. American Education Week has grown since 1921 and is now sponsored by many education groups. This year's theme is "Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility." This theme highlights the importance of bringing together educators, parents, students, and communities to build great public schools.

Today's educators do more than teach the basic skills of reading, writing and arithmetic. They nurture and inspire children despite obstacles. They help students learn essential skills like critical thinking, conflict resolution, cooperation, problem solving and teamwork, which are very valued in society and the workplace. Today's students have so many opportunities available to them including a variety of fine arts programs, multiple intramural and extracurricular sports teams, dozens of Advanced Placement and honors classes, specialized academies, Junior ROTC programs and many technical programs that range from firefighting to horticulture. While today's educators are held accountable for student success on our state and federally mandated tests, our mission is to teach the whole child and prepare them for work in the 21st century and to be productive citizens in a global society.

To do this, we must work together with our parents, community members and elected officials to ensure that even during these tough economic times that the future of our children is not endangered. We know that education is the foundation of our democracy and the great equalizer. Now more than ever, students need us to make the tough decisions that will protect their basic right to a great education. It is indeed our responsibility to protect that right and provide the highest quality education for our children.

So please visit a community school and if you get a chance, thank an educator for making a difference in your child's life or in your own. Together we will provide a great public school for every child.

Wanda Ruffo Twigg, Mechanicsville

The writer is president of the Education Association

of St. Mary's County and a member of the board of directors of the Maryland State Education Association and the National Education Association.