The vast majority of individuals hold opinions on topics such as childcare, education, and the overall school system.
After all, what could be more crucial than ensuring that everything possible is being done to safely and effectively nurture the next generation of children as they go through arguably the most critical phase of their lives?
That being said, among all those eager to critique and analyze various aspects of education, few can claim that their views resonate as strongly as those of a certain retired teacher who gained fame a few years ago.
The teacher in question, Lisa Roberson, authored an open letter that was published in the Augusta Chronicle in 2017, and her words continue to ignite discussions about whether parents or teachers should be held accountable for the current perceived challenges within the school system.
It’s worth mentioning that this letter was written before the pandemic, thus predating the significant changes that were made to ensure education could persist amid COVID.
Many of these changes during that challenging period received mixed reactions from the American public, indicating that people have plenty to say about the state of the education system and potential solutions.
For Lisa Roberson, however, the issue does not rest with teachers – as has been suggested in some circles in recent years – but rather with the parents of the children themselves…
As a retired teacher
“As a retired teacher, I am sick of people who know nothing about public schools or have not been in a classroom recently deciding how to fix our education system,” read Lisa’s letter.
“The teachers are not the problem! Parents are the problem! They are not teaching their children manners, respect or even general knowledge of how to get along with others.
“The children come to school in shoes that cost more than the teacher’s entire outfit, but have no pencil or paper. Who provides them? The teachers often provide them out of their own pockets.
This was posted in the newspaper today !!!
Posted by Tony Flowers on Thursday, February 16, 2017
“When you look at schools that are “failing,” look at the parents and students. Do parents come to parent nights? Do they talk with teachers regularly? Do they make sure their children are prepared by having the necessary supplies? Do they make sure their children do their homework?
“Do they have working telephone numbers? Do the students take notes in class? Do they do their homework? Do the students listen in class, or are they the sources of class disruptions?
“When you look at these factors, you will see that it is not schools that are failing but the parents. Teachers cannot do their jobs and the parents’ job. Until parent step up and do their job, nothing is going to get better!”
It’s no surprise that the letter written by this retired teacher created quite a buzz, and it definitely brings up some important points that deserve to be talked about.
What are your thoughts on the letter? Should parents be held accountable? Or is the entire responsibility on the teachers? Share your opinions in the comments.
