November 12-16 is American Education Week, a time to
celebrate our nation’s public schools.
In South Dakota, we all have reason to be proud of the good
work our schools do to serve students. A lot is asked of our state’s educators,
and they routinely step up to the challenge, supporting students of all
abilities and backgrounds.
When you consider some of the common metrics used to measure
school success – things like attendance rates, graduation rates, test scores –
South Dakota typically stacks up well compared to other states. But our
schools are so much more than a set of metrics. They are a place where
young minds are challenged and nurtured, a place where personalities are
formed, character is developed, and future citizens and leaders begin to find
their voices. These intangibles can be difficult to measure, but in the end,
they are just as valuable as the academic content we want our students to
master.
Like so many parents, I know that my child’s educators are a
trusted source for helping me understand her academic progress and social
development. They are the experts who have devoted their lives to kids, and
they constantly strive to hone their craft.
It’s not only teachers and administrators who make up the
fabric of a school. Librarians, paraprofessionals, coaches, office and school
lunch staff, bus drivers, custodians, and others play vital roles as well. And
in many of our state’s small schools, some employees wear several of these hats
all at once.
Of course, parents and families are their children’s first
teachers, and they have an integral role in the formal education process as
well. A student does best when he or she has a strong support system both
inside and outside the school walls.
During American Education Week, let’s take time to celebrate
the successes of our public school system and to recognize the individuals who
have made it their life’s work to help students build a solid foundation of
knowledge, skills and experiences that will serve them well in postsecondary, careers
and life.
