We can make a difference
For the past five weeks, I have focused on our public school system in the United States, briefly sharing history, philosophy, goals, and some problems within our schools. In this final post of the series, I suggest some actions that each of us can do to help—how we can make a difference in the lives of our children, the education they receive, and the future of our country.
A brief review of major points thus far…
- Parents and family are our children’s first and most important teachers.
- Nearly 90% of our nation’s children are educated in the public school system.
- Our schools have a vital mission—teach all children to develop common beliefs in support of our American principles, help students reach their fullest potential so they can be trained for their future endeavors, be employed and economically stable, law abiding citizens, to have a healthy and happy life, while contributing to a better future for out country.
- As with any institution, organization, or business, there are imperfections in our schools.
- Some weaknesses in our schools include: lack of parental involvement; students unprepared for learning; over-emphasis on standardized testing; not enough emphasis on individualized instruction; a curriculum designed to teach all children the same way; student and teacher creativity is stifled; poorly motivated students and teachers; and under-funding and inequities in financial distributions.
- Each of us acts as a role model for all children with whom we interact. Are we a good one?
Each of us can make a difference in the lives of children and the education they receive.
Do you believe that? I do. I believe, strongly—if we care about all our children, we can make a difference in their future.
How?
Decide what you believe…
- Do all children deserve an opportunity for an education that helps them achieve their fullest potential?
- Do all children deserve access to an up-to-date (or well-maintained) school building?
- Do all children deserve to have equal opportunity to experience the latest technology in their schools?
- Do all children have a right to attend a school that is safe, kept clean, has reasonable and fair guidelines for appropriate behavior, has a discipline plan with clear expectations, made known to students and parents, and administered equitably and fairly?
- Should the school environment be one of mutual respect among students, teachers, and administrators?
- Should teachers be adequately trained, highly motivated, and paid according to their education, experience, and performance?
Are our children the future for our country? If not what is?
As you consider your responses to these questions, you will examine your views on the value of our children and the education they receive.
How we can make a difference…
Pray for our students, teachers, administrators, and legislators. If we are Christians, we likely lament the non-practice of our Christian faith in our schools. After all, most of our forefathers were Christian and our country was founded on Christian principles. However, our Constitution specifies separation of church and state. Our public schools are part of the “state.” Our Supreme Court has interpreted how the mandate of separation of church and state is to be enforced.
But we (every one of us), are not prohibited from praying for every aspect of our children’s schooling—our children, teachers, administrators, and policy makers.
A dear friend, faithful Christian and former teacher, commented on last week’s blog with the suggestion, “Each time we pass a school, we can pray.” Isn’t that a wonderful thought? Pray for the students in that school—teachers, parents, and everyone associated with that particular school. Do we believe prayer makes a difference?
Educate ourselves about those running for office and VOTE! If we want to be involved in policy making, curriculum (what is taught in the schools), financial support, and every aspect of our public schools, we have an obligation to study the political platform of every candidate, to know what they will advocate and legislate for in regard to our children and schools. Review proposed legislation related to schools and advocate for what you believe. Contact your local school board, state legislators, and members of Congress to express your views.
Become involved. No matter if we’re young parents, grandparents, or concerned citizens, we can get involved in our local schools—volunteer, tutor students, attend school functions, and support school fund raisers.
Be the type of American we want our children to become—Be of good character, exhibit positive, Christian behaviors in public. Be the role model that children of all ages can emulate. Realize that every time you are around children—in public, at church, with family—your actions are showing the kind of person you are.
Be a witness for Jesus. As much as some of us may wish for schools to deliver a Christian education, that is not the role of our public schools. However, it is our calling…
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
As parents, grandparents, Sunday School teachers, youth leaders, and concerned citizens—if we want to be a witness for Jesus we show it through our actions. We strive to raise our children and grandchildren as believers, as we actively engage in being a witness for Christ whenever possible.
One of the best ways to spread Christianity in the public schools is to be certain our own children and grandchildren are followers of Jesus and they are willing and able to share the love of Jesus with their friends. This doesn’t mean that our children stand on a chair in the hallway and share the gospel during class changes. However, our children can share their love for Jesus with their friends and invite them to church or youth meetings. You can encourage your children and grandchildren invite their friends to church sponsored events, Christian concerts, or church camp. There are so many possibilities for sharing the Gospel of Jesus with our young people.
We can make a difference!
If you have other suggestions for making schooling a positive experience for our children, please share in the comments. Thank you for your continued prayers for our children, our teachers, and our schools.
Previous blogs in this series:
Thank you for highlighting the process, needs, and aspects of our educational system. By focusing on this topic it reminds us to pray and get involved. Blessings, Katherine!
Thank you, Barbara. This series has been a labor of love and I hope we all will do what we can to support our children and our educational system. Thanks so much for your encouragement and your prayers.
All wonderful points, and guidance as to how each of us can make a difference. Have very much enjoyed this series Ms. Katherine. Thank you for sharing your insights, experiences, wisdom, and faith with us. God’s blessings ma’am.
I’m grateful for your encouragement and support, J.D. Thinking of you both this week and praying for you. May God bless you and bring healing, comfort, and peace.
Our Constitution contains an amendment that says, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” The words “separation of church and state” do not appear in the Constitution.
The most important thing we can do, as you say, is to pray.
I appreciate your heart for kids and education.
You are right, Nancy. I included those exact words in an earlier blog in this series and should have again in this one to be more clear. I have a tendency to go back to way the amendment has been interpreted and implemented in the years since. However, the original words are better because it also makes clear that our practice of religion is protected (something that we need to speak up more about when our practice of Christianity is threatened). Thank you for reminding us. Thank you for your encouragement during this series and for sharing your insightful thoughts.
Excellent post Katherine. Prayer, be informed and be a light-all within our ability to do. Thank you.
Thank you, Marilyn. I’m grateful for your encourage and your prayers. We can make a difference!
I’ve enjoyed this series of posts on education. Your call-to-action points are spot on and leave us with hope because there are ways we all can contribute to make a difference. Whenever I’m driving or riding in a car and pass a school, no matter where it is, I pray for its children and teachers. A practice started long ago when I was a newly minted teacher in the trenches.
Thanks for this!
I’m so thankful that you already pray for our children and our schools on a regular basis. It’s a new habit for me and I look forward to putting this prayer into practice. Thank you for you service to our children and families.
Katherine, as always, you share important points and strategies for responding as Christians should—with prayer and a godly example. Thank you for leading our thoughts to commitment in the vital area of education for the children of our great country.
Thank you for your encouragement, Jeannie, and for your suggestion that we pray for a school–its children, teachers, and administrators each time we drive by. Several who have commented suggested that action and it is an excellent idea–something we can all do. Thank you for the wonderful role model you are for our children and for us.
It’s so good to be getting your posts again, Katherine! And this one has a wealth of wisdom and ideas for how we can support and encourage the education of all America’s children. Thank you for this thoughtful series at a time when education is in such flux from the pandemic.
Kathy, I’m so glad you were able to subscribe again after my mishap with my website. Thank you for your encouragement and affirmation. As a teacher, I know you are aware of the vital role we have in the future of our children. Working together and with much prayer, we can all make a difference! As Krista McAuliffe said of teachers, “We touch the future.” Parents and all of society join in on that calling. We all touch the future!
I agree with praying for our school systems and voting for people who will represent Christian values to our local school boards. As we pray and act, God will work.
Thank you for your prayers, Joanna. Love your last sentence–“As we pray and act, God will work.” Yes, as God’s children we are called to action in His service. Blessings!