Proceed with caution -- radical politics ahead!

As in the radical politics of providing our children with the best public education possible, even in a recovering economy! I know, I'm crazy, but I just don't think that public education should bear the burden of fixing our nation's budget woes. The quality of my students' education should not be sacrificed to the budget gods! What follows is a letter I sent to my congressmen -- you should send one, too!

I am writing to you to discuss my fears regarding Washington’s current stance on education, specifically the language in Continuing Resolution H.R. 1, and the impact it has on my students’ education and available educational programming. I am well aware of the budget crisis facing our great nation; however I am distraught at the thought of our already struggling public education system sustaining any more cuts in funding. Few agencies affected by the budget deficits are also entrusted with the responsibility of preparing the future presidents, senators, representatives, doctors, teachers, and technicians that will guide our nation toward bigger and better things. My fear is not for myself, my income, or my retirement, but that my representatives in Congress have no knowledge of how the proposed cuts will affect the 500 young minds I am charged with inspiring and educating on a daily basis.

The majority of the proposed cuts will drastically affect educational programs, specifically Arts in Education programming. These programs provide essential enrichment activities for students, many of whom are from rural communities in Kansas and would otherwise miss out on these opportunities. Arts-based programs are proven to promote more authentic learning, collaboration across the curriculum, and the creativity necessary for problem solving. Moreover, study after study confirms the necessity of these enrichment activities (or so-called “extras”) as they play a pivotal part in learning theory, thereby making enrichment programs essential, not optional. I cannot accept that cutting funding for these critical educational programs is the best way to solve our budget problems because I know there are more options available. Surely Congress is creative enough to find other ways to reduce the budget that will not directly impact students? What about ending the tax cuts for the wealthiest two percent of the country and fixing corporate tax loopholes? While cutting this funding might provide a short-term solution, the long-term ramifications to our students’ education are simply not worth it.

I am also repulsed by the banter in the Republican Party about what is happening in Wisconsin, most specifically the regarding the value of teachers. I have heard prominent Republicans refer to teachers as “part-time” workers who are earning “too much,” doing whatever they want to do with no accountability because they can “never be fired.” This sort of speech shows sheer ignorance on the part of the Republican Party and in no way whatsoever represents the realities of teaching in the public education system. I am held accountable for everything that I teach my students, and I know the same is true for every one of my colleagues. Teachers tend to the educational, emotional, and physical needs of hundreds of students every week. For anyone to imply that we are over-paid babysitters is absolutely ignorant. You or any member of your staff would certainly be welcome to spend a day in my classroom to garner first-hand experience with what it’s really like to be a teacher under NCLB.

I am sure that as my senator you will make my voice heard. Education is far too important to the future of our America to offer it as a sacrifice. Education is a necessity, not a privilege, guaranteed to every American student, and as such it should not bear the burden of fixing our country’s budget problems. In the interest of all of your current and future constituents, please find another way to balance the budget.