Marvelous and Magnificent day in Education

Today concludes American Education Week. Throughout the week my school has participated in a variety of activities to remind the students and staff that American Education is something to celebrate and to be proud.
Monday we wore suspenders to show our "support" of American Education.
Tuesday parents were invited to eat breakfast or lunch and to read to a child's class.
Wednesday we colored torches and posted the poem by George Bernard Shaw about education being a light that is passed on to one another. Not just teachers to students but students to other students.
Thursday we wrote "Thank you" notes on an apple pattern. The notes were to be written to someone in education that we appreciate.
Friday every student, staff and visitor received a snack size pack of "M&M's" to remind us that it is a marvelous and magnificent day in American Education.
I am saddened by the negative spin the politicians, community members, and often parents have of education in America. I know that at Blaney Elementary School the entire staff comes every with a desire to make a difference in each student. Each of us sees our position in education as a calling and we put our entire being into the role. I am offended when judgments are made by people outside of the educational field. It is disheartening that the public is so easily influenced by the media. Every person went to school at some point in his or her life. They only way that was possible is if there were teachers in the schools teaching. Students are not expected to wait to be seen by teachers; they don't need to make an appointment to get an education; their parents don't need to earn a certain amount of money, drive a particular car, own property or even hold a job; and it doesn't matter what a child looks like, acts like or learns like because public education is open to every single child. Wow! Think about that and teachers make less money than doctors, lawyers, bank presidents, CEOs or CFOs. If it weren't for the teachers in these people's lives, they would not have the careers they have.
The next time you want to judge public education I suggest you visit your child's, grandchild's, niece or nephew's, Godchild's or best friend's child's school and see what is going on in public education at the heart of public education-the classroom!