“Where is our voice?”

Practical Theory, an education blog I particularly enjoy, written by the principal of a new school in Philadelphia, pointed me to a fascinating opinion piece in EdWeek.

In the piece, Jane Owen, a former teacher (now a professor of education), deals with an issue that is very close to the heart of why TEN was created:

As educators, we have been a sleeping giant for too long. Our numbers are in the millions, and yet we meekly stand by as politicians mock the value of education, the contribution of educators, and the ultimate worth of children. We have been pressured by accountability until we have violated our own integrity and the integrity of our profession by hurting children.

Where is our voice? It is time for the sleeping giant to stir, awaken with a roar, and take back our profession, our integrity, and the education of our children. It is time we quit being obedient sheep following the leader, and it is time we pledged our resources, our intellect, and our hearts to a battle that has the potential to be the crowning accomplishment, the capstone, of our careers…

Who is better equipped than we to redefine and renew public education? Who else possesses the determination and educational vision, albeit left sleeping too long, that can now be awakened, honed to a sharp edge, and applied decisively? Who else has the knowledge, the training, and the love to make education something exciting and beautiful again?

If teachers want to join the public discourse on education, we need to start defining our terms and shy away from vagueness.  Owens’ piece itself is nothing earth-shattering.  It’s a start.  Are we ready to take the next step?

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