Waiting for Superman

It is hearbreaking to watch the movie Waiting for Superman. Does a child have the right to education? YES!  Every child has the right to an education. An important message from this movie is that failing neighborhoods are a result of failing schools. As Dr. Pedro Noguero had illustrated in his important lecture, improving education will improve the lives of individuals, families, and bring well-being to communities.

Another important point that we should all think about is that we need GOOD teachers that CARE about the students. Bad teachers! What! "The Lemon Dance." "The Rubber Room." Wow! The students are receiving a "crappy" education and teachers can do something about it. Teachers who have tenure can do whatever they want besides teach the kids and they receive the maximum pay and benefits. As Hilary Swank's character portrayed in another movie, Freedom Writers, a teacher who cares can go the distance to help her students in making personal sacrifices. We do need teachers that teach 150%.

Finally, there are so much policies, "conflicting agendas," and people who want to "help" but are just said to make the progress of reforming education difficult and at a standstill. I learned of one aspect of this issue during my first semester in the Education program. We had a guest speaker from Leeward Community College. She was a freshman composition teacher for many years--about 20 years--and she shared her frustration on administrators poking their noses and what they think is right for the students without considering the teachers, who actually know what is going on in the classrooms.