This is Education.

We face the impossible.

And I refuse to accept that

We can continually improve education.

Funding must guide decisions.

No longer can we say

Every child can thrive.

I believe this –

Educators face an impossible challenge.

I do not concede that

Sufficient resources exist, as

It takes a community to raise a child.

Teachers do not have all the answers

And we embrace the fact that

Students have unanswered questions –

There is not enough time to evoke passion.

It is unfair to think that

Teachers will find time to learn together.

Learning takes places within four walls.

We cannot always say

Students create.  Teachers Inspire.

Schools care most about results.

And it is a fallacy that

Teachers can prepare students for the future.

A letter grade

Is more valuable than

A conversation.

I tell you this –

Parents do not play a key role in schools.

No longer can it be said that

Relationships come first.

With students – teachers know

The same model must work for all.

It is unreasonable to expect

Schools can educate the heart and mind.

Educators know

Technology has kids checked out

It’s naïve to believe

Our future is bright.

Limits constrain potential.

No longer can I trust that

Every child can succeed.

I recognize that

This is Education.

And this could be true – unless we shift our direction and recognize the beauty in education.  (read from bottom up or below)

This is Education.

I recognize that

Every child can succeed.

No longer can I trust that

Limits constrain potential.

Our future is bright.

It’s naïve to believe that

Technology has kids checked out.

Educators know

Schools can educate the heart and the mind.

It is unreasonable to expect

The same model must work for all.

With students – teachers know

Relationships come first.

No longer can it be said that

Parents do not play a key role in schools.

I tell you this –

A conversation

Is more valuable

Than a letter grade.

Teachers can prepare students for the future.

And it is a fallacy that

Schools care most about results.

Students create.  Teachers Inspire.

We cannot always say

Learning takes places within four walls.

Teachers will find time to learn together.

It is unfair to think that

There is not enough time to evoke passion.

Students have unanswered questions –

And we embrace the fact that

Teachers do not have all the answers

It takes a community to raise a child.

Sufficient resources exist, as

I do not concede that

Educators face an impossible challenge.

I believe this –

Every child can thrive.

No longer can we say

Funding must guide decisions.

We can continually improve education

And I refuse to accept that

We face the impossible.

This is Education.

Extreme statements are not meant to offend – rather to demonstrate that how we choose to view education shifts our reality.  As we head into Thanksgiving Weekend, I am thankful that I get to work as an educator in Canada – a system that is ranked by PISA as the third best education system in the world.  I am thankful for the amazing students, staff, parents and community members who make our schools such wonderful places to learn.  Happy Thanksgiving!