To say there are a lot of crucial, tide-turning events going on all over the world is an understatement. I feel like everywhere I turn there is more information on revolutions happening in the Middle East, the protests in Wisconsin and other states, and who could leave out the up-coming Royal Wedding? Sometimes I feel overwhelmed because I feel as if I have a duty to keep up on the information coming in so that I may be an informed citizen and take action when/if needed...well, about the revolutions and protests, not so much the wedding... How can I not care about the things that are going on right now? Education is a topic near and dear to my heart and I am so incredibly saddened by the severe cuts that have been proposed and will be implemented shortly. I just do not understand how taking more money away from this part of our society will help everything. Apparently I'm not the only one as evidenced with this article, as well as this one.
I'm not the first one to say this, but by investing money into our students we can gain critical thinkers who are able to solve our most pressing challenges and issues, while at the same time saving money on what we as a society would pay for them to be in jail. I am in no way saying that all children will end up in jail if they do not have a quality education. However, the more access a child has to quality education, the less likely they are to commit crimes that could eventually lead to their incarceration. Here are some stats that help back up my assertions, too.
Not only do these cuts worry me because I believe in high quality education for all students, but also because I have been working towards my goal of becoming an educator. As a young person who has most of my own education finished and now work in a volunteer position (yes, I have a stipend, but we are technically called volunteers), I have been banking on the fact that funding for education will increase NOT decrease, and that I will have more opportunities rather than less for a teaching job. Not only are future generations getting the shaft of getting an education that will prepare them for the real world, but my generation is also getting the short end of the stick when it comes to finding meaningful, sustainable jobs that will support us (financially) so that we may continue to use our energy to mold the world into our collective vision of a more "just, verdant, and peaceful world." My dad sent me a book called Do It Anyway: The New Generation of Activists by Courtney E. Martin, and in the preface she writes that my generation has a permanent mindset that we must do work that will change the world in ways that are positive. I know I feel that way. Well, most of the time.
In my time here I have had my fair share of challenges. I feel that I work hard employ lessons learned, academically and on-the-job, so that I can continue becoming better at my job. Recently I had the first day at my job that I just wanted to flat out walk away and quit. It was only for a short time, but that hour or so was intense. For whatever reason, things just weren't working that day and the kids were not having any of it. I felt like things we tried at the program were failing and I was unsure of why I was even there. Rather than continuing to fight to fix or change happenings I felt ready to take flight - specifically to a warmer, cozy California that I've been missing.
But that feeling didn't really last very long. By the time I finished walking my dog, Maise, and had the chance to inhale some fresh, crisp air I was feeling better about things. While walking I had a chance to reflect on my own behaviors and what I could do to enhance my own experience, as well as what I could do or suggest to help the negative happenings. I am not one to walk away from a situation because I feel frustrated, especially when I have a feeling that I can do something to make a change for the better. My "fight" does not go away without its own fight.
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