Wednesday, April 7, 2004

Student wants good teacher as her ‘right'

As a Fayette County High School student, I am instructed that my only right as a student while at school is to learn and be educated.

In my sophomore English class I am learning how to accurately write a research paper and analyze novels such as “The Scarlett Pimpernel.” In Spanish II we are being taught how to give directions and name items in a department store and pharmacy. In my Debate II class we are expanding on our current debate skills in activities such as “Mock Trial” and “Congress Debate.” In Gifted World History I am being instructed about the many revolutions in Europe and the foundations of our economic system along with many European countries through the Industrial Revolution.

In [one] class, however, I tend to have to teach myself before a test or quiz comes up in order to keep a decent grade in the class.

This matter is minor to you, believe me, I know, but as you are all probably taxpayers and most of you parents to students in Fayette County schools, [you] need to realize the importance of the assurance of our one right as students, to learn and be educated. If this right is not insured, what are [you] paying taxes to?

I ask this question and bring this issue into light because as a student I care about my education and my future along with my fellow students.

We have been told to go through the proper procedures when complaining about a teacher. First to the teacher, then to the counselor, and finally to the principal. Nevertheless, even after we and our parents have gone this far, these teachers that we have complained about are still in the classrooms.

As a result I come to you all as fellow Fayette County citizens, Georgia citizens, and American citizens. We can’t just let the students’ only right in the classroom be taken from them. We must have higher standards for the educators of our future.

Teachers like students are going to do their jobs when an administrator is supervising them, but this may not be the case when the authority figure is not present or the instructor is not aware [of] their presence.

I am not specifically aiming this complaint towards [a] specific teacher, but to all whose teaching methods cause students to switch roles and become the teachers themselves.

Some may say that it is a case of the student’s learning methods, but I have to disagree with you. Teachers need to use a variety of teaching methods in order to reach each individual student. For example, one assignment could be a graphic organizer for the visual learner, another could be a class discussion for the audio learner, and another could be a lab for the hands-on-learner. This combination of activities is reaching every student.

Thus, this is not about a student’s ability to learn, but about the teacher’s ability to have non-discriminatory teaching methods.

Therefore, Fayette County, I ask you, are you willing to stand around idly while your tax dollars go to waste supporting teachers who are not doing their one job, educating the student?

Felicia Hall

Fayetteville, Ga.