LET THE TEACHERS TEACH

Speaking as a teacher, with retirement just days away 

Here’s my opinion on the state of education in America today.

I’ve observed many great teachers and there’s a pattern to their speech

For they believe the problem is...they’re not allowed to teach.

The system commandeered their imagination and has hidden their creativity away.

Some, if you can believe it, are being told exactly what to say.

Teachers have much to offer but all the time they have invested

Is being wasted as their students now are extremely over-tested.

These test I believe are certainly a part of educations sad demise

For they do not test students capacity to think only their ability to memorize.

In fact I’ve seen many great teachers who taught a few years then withdrew

Because of all the rules and regulations on what they can and cannot do.

Somewhere along the way, and I’m not sure who’s to blame

We’ve forgotten that every student will and cannot learn the same.

The solution is a simple one just ask any teacher...for they know

Its nothing new or earth shattering..in fact it was proven long ago.

Teachers are trained to do their job, their students...they know how to reach

So keep their class sizes low, the discipline consistent and simply let them teach.

When you allow teachers the freedom, to use their imagination, creativity, and heart

They not only transmit knowledge...but it’s wisdom they impart.

Give teachers more creative freedom and they will find the link

They’ll stop teaching kids to memorize and teach them how to think.

For the key to success in education...if we want our students to evolve

We need to teach them not to memorize but how to problem solve.

My teacher friends hope (and I imagine teachers around the country feel the same)

That their students will leave them more well-rounded and wiser than they came

So if you want education to improve then this one lesson I beseech

Stop the incessant testing and let your teachers teach.

(And one more thing to think about so more teachers don’t walk out the door

If you want the best trained teachers...you might have to pay them a little more.)