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Resolve and Renew
By Jess Wolf, NSEA President
Isn't education a great career?
Along with all the advantages of developing young minds and sending young people off on careers of their own, educators get to enjoy two New Year's celebrations each year.
Our first observance is the beginning of the new school year each fall. The second is the traditional New Year's celebration we share with the rest of the world. Thus, we as teachers enjoy two chances to re-evaluate our lives, to make resolutions to improve on skills or habits, and to rededicate ourselves to our work.
I believe that our second New Year's celebration also gives teachers a chance to recommit ourselves to the values and vision that we hold most dear.
Re-establish, Build
For the founders of our country, one of those great visions understood that an educated populace was of utmost importance to our democracy's survival. Public education, they understood, was the great equalizer for the citizenry, the value that allowed for the development of the new country and the evolution and support for those principals we hold most dear: life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, freedom of speech, religion, the right to assemble peacefully, and all the rest.
It seems, in my opinion at least, that too many folks forget how we re-establish and build on these beliefs over and over and over, generation after generation.
Every despot in the history of man has understood the importance of education -- and taken advantage of it. You may recall the Hitler Youth or the Soviet Union's Komsomol. Fortunately, good and well-intentioned people throughout our history have also realized the positive aspects importance of a balanced and indoctrination-free education. And despite the outstanding value of such a good education, some folks seeking the "Good Life" here in Nebraska need to be reminded of education's true value every once in awhile.
Shared Goals
As a firm advocate of equality, I fail to understand the thinking of those who choose to deny every school-aged child or young adult access to the educational system they deserve. There are some who will argue that "These are tough economic times and we cannot afford to invest in education." The simple fact is we cannot afford not to invest in education during tough economic times! Education is the foundation upon which we build our nation, and upon which we maintain our nation in such difficult times.
Still, as good as our system of public education is, it does have imperfections. There are improvements that must occur, changes that must be made. We all share the goals of raising graduation rates, closing achievement gaps, and providing the best education we can for every child.
As a new year dawns, let us each resolve to work with policymakers, parents, students and all Nebraska citizens to renew our commitment to education in our state and country. Only the resolve of all these people will allow for meaningful change and provide the necessary resources to keep our nation strong and prepared for the future.
Together, this New Year can be the best ever for education and the youth of Nebraska!
