You may have seen or read the news about Arizona Governor Ducey’s proposed budget recommendation. Some are saying that it is a “shell game” with monies for education. We already know that Arizona education ranks 47th in the country in money per student in our country. The teachers in our state do so much with so little. I want to put this in perspective. Washington DC has the highest dollar per student ratio in the country; however, the quality of education is one of the lowest. What could the teachers do with better technology, better equipment, and smaller classrooms here in Arizona?
I know several teachers personally and have spoken to them about this issue on numerous occasions. One, in particular, has stated over and over again that she would teach with whatever was available. It’s about the students and preparing them to be well-rounded adults capable of being an integral part of our experiment called the American experience.
I agree with the governor’s statement of “Arizonans have had to tighten their own belts ... they rightly expect government to do that same thing.” But look at the disparity between education and the prison's budget. Maybe if parents teach their children properly, if we do not fail our kids, maybe then we would not “need” a few billion dollar budget for the prison system here in Arizona. Wait! Maybe if law enforcement would follow the constitution at ALL times, it would happen also.
There has to be a change. I am grateful for the teachers my daughters have and I support them in every way I am able to. They have done a fantastic job in encouraging my kids to be outside the box thinkers. To be an agent of change for the better. When we can have a discussion over supper about the Bill of Rights because that is what they learned in school, it is a good thing. Yes, I do attempt to teach the kids at home as well. I do not expect the teachers to raise my daughters. That is not their responsibility, it is mine.
Keep your eye out for what we are going to do to change the world.
“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” – Apple’s “Think Different” commercial, 1997
