“Positive” response to a “Negative” Editorial
Response to “Zuni Schools Need a Positive Change”
Dear Zuni Superintendent Peery, I read, yet another, newspaper editorial that made absolutely no sense to me. And the more I think about it, the more I wonder: What have you done to anyone that makes people cringe when they hear the word, “Superintendent”?
Now, I’ll be honest. I was very upset when we lost a teacher at the high school earlier this year. I still don’t understand why her replacement isn’t receiving a teacher’s salary now that he’s has taken her position. But, I do understand why we had to lose her. Her qualifications. But see, that’s the thing I don’t understand with all the griping from my people. As Superintendent, you need to make sure that the staff that are working for the District are certified. As far as I can see, that is exactly what you are doing. People complain about how our students are failing, how bad things are at the schools, and how teachers don’t have any District support.
Here’s my two cents: Well first of all, how can students achieve when their teachers, the very teachers that are supposed to be instilling some learning into them, expect very little of them. I’ve heard teachers left and right complain about how Zuni parents are lethargic and not concerned about their student’s achievements — that Zuni parent’s don’t understand the value of a good education. Those same teachers then turn to their class and dish out worksheets and handouts in lieu of meaningful classroom activities. As a Zuni parent, I resent what these teachers are saying. And the funny thing is, somehow, YOU get the blame for what teachers are saying. Furthermore, those teachers who belittle Zuni parents, whole- heartedly support the union. Who is the union made up of anyway? Non-Zuni parents only? So, why should students work hard for teachers who say that the only successful thing they’ll ever do, in their life, is sit home and live off of their parents? That is the reason why students stop trying to work so hard, because too many of their teachers don’t believe they’ll ever do any better than their parents.
Now my question is, what is so wrong with a parent who is a silversmith or fetish maker? There isn’t. My parents have been silversmiths for the greater part of their lives and it is through their talent that they were able to raise my four brothers and myself. It is through their talent that they have earned their status as great silversmiths. Parents who make a living through this talent deserve the respect of the teachers who are teaching their kids, and yet, they are mocked behind their backs. Yes, today’s kids are headed toward a downhill spiral, but it’s not just a local concern. This is a problem in all communities. Values should be taught at home, first and foremost. Teenage years have been researched and the research has shown that psychologically, these are the years that are tumultuous. It is this time in a person’s life that they are seeking acceptance, and are willing to do whatever it takes to get the acceptance of their peers. So, our schools end up as a testing ground for students. I’ve read through newspaper editorials, that the District should support values taught at the home. Does that mean it’s your job and your job only? Did the word “District” someone change to exclude staff, faculty, and administrators? I’m just curious, because people have been using that word exclusively to mean “you“.
And here’s the funniest part to me. The community says there is no District support. Really? Because I felt tons of support at the District level. Or maybe that’s because I’m one of your loyal supporters. Like the latest editorial said, “you treat me better.” Do you want to know my honest opinion? I have debated in my head whether or not I really should leave the school District on my last day. I so want to stay until the end of the school year to stay with my students. But everyday, it’s the people that I work with that remind me why I don’t want to be there. I turned in my resignation over a month ago, and yet, only a handful of people have even commented on my leaving. Of those people, only 4 have expressed that they will miss me because I made some positive contribution to student work ethic. I’ve had one tell me directly to my face that I’m jumping ship, but I have this feeling that other people are thinking the very same thing but haven’t said anything. But, when I was at the Central Offices, I had never felt more appreciated. Even people that I have never worked with directly wished me good luck, and commented that they heard good things about me and wished I wouldn’t go. They even knew why I was leaving.
At my school, it felt like no one believed me when I said I was leaving for my family’s sake. They looked at me more like I was using my child as an excuse to leave. So when people say there is no District support, I laugh at them, because they JUST don’t know. By all means, publish this….send this….email this….print it out and put it on a large poster.
I’m sad to say but my community members don’t know what’s really going on. They would rather believe hear-say because their relative told them so. But, me, I know. I loved working with you to help my students learn. And I’m proud to say that I support you….completely and fully. And in the event that you have made a mistake of some sort, I’d like to say “Welcome to the Human Club.” Our motto is “Sometimes it Happens, but we learn to forgive”. ElahKwa
Bobbie Shack