 Every
child deserves a great school
The beginning of this school year marks the 29th year
since I entered my first classroom as a public school teacher. In
many ways, teaching is the same today as it was then, but in others,
it may never be the same.
This summer the U.S. Supreme Court cracked the wall separating
church and state. The Court ruled that the Cleveland voucher program
does not violate the constitutional ban on using public dollars
for religious education—even though more than 90 percent of
the Cleveland vouchers are used for religious schools.
Rather than using this column to argue the pros and cons of this
decision, I am going to stick to my personal feelings on the subject.
Let me start by providing some personal background. My brother and
I were raised by a mother who epitomized the belief in hard work.
Looking back, it is easy to see that we were poor. Mom worked in
a dime store that provided meager wages and benefits. Even though
she usually worked two jobs at a time, the days before payday were
always tight. No matter how poor we were, Mom never allowed it to
be an excuse for not doing your best.
Mary McHugh, my fifth grade teacher, also had high expectations.
She is the teacher who had the greatest impact on my life. I remember
Mrs. McHugh telling us that one of the greatest things about being
an American is being able to work hard to improve your life. She
also pointed out that public schools teach all children because,
in America, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to
succeed.
I have thought a lot about Mrs. McHugh this summer. Without a
doubt, public schools provided me with the opportunity to improve
my life. In large part, this is because of Mrs. McHugh and other
dedicated, public school teachers, but I am far from the exception.
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson realized that this nation could
become great if we educate the masses. At the time, only religious
sects and individuals who could afford to pay the bill were provided
education. Jefferson and Adams were on target. Public education
has been the greatest equalizing and elevating force in our nation’s
history. Millions of children have improved their lives because
they had access to good public schools.
While I don’t deny the right of parents to choose religious
education, I will not support using public dollars to pay for it.
To do so would return us to a two-tiered system, private education
for those who can afford elite schools and public schools for the
rest. I believe that every child deserves a great school.
As you go back to school this fall, things may appear to be much
the same as always; however, the wolves are circling. Voucher proponents
will be working to chip away at our system of public education.
I need you to join me in the fight to protect public schools.
As you write your lesson plans, include one for yourself. Commit
some time and effort to electing candidates that support public
schools. Our students are counting on us.
By Greg Jung
Missouri NEA President
Other Reflections
Reflecting on our work
Missouri Teachers Losing Out on Social
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