Op-ed by Dan Boren:
Wednesday, April 27, 2005

During Teachers Appreciation Week we honor the dedication, passion, and caring nature of teachers.  Teachers are the backbone of our public school system and a guiding force in helping our children develop into healthy, happy, and successful adults.  In appreciation of their service, we pause to reflect on all that teachers do every day.  This year’s theme is “Thank a teacher for making public schools great.”  

 

“What makes a teacher great?” is not an idle question, nor an insignificant one.  As far back as the Third Century B.C., the Greek philosopher Diogenes noted, “The foundation of every state is the education of its youth.” If anything, his observation has become even more relevant with the passing of time. A child without a strong education is likely to become an adult without hope for a productive future.

 

There is nothing more important to me than a child’s future and the health of our rural schools.  Local schools are the social and economic engine of many rural communities across Eastern Oklahoma.  Culturally, they bind communities together and guarantee the future of our rural way of life.  They fuel local economies and sustain our labor force.     

 

Investing in our schools and our teachers is the best economic investment we can make as a state.  Our education policy must reflect that nothing is more important to our long-term economic growth than an educated workforce.  Education is a major spoke in the wheel of job creation.  If we are to successfully create high paying jobs and build an economic environment suitable to potential new employers, we must have an education system able to deliver a top-notch work force. 

 

Education Week’s ninth annual report card on state education systems ranked Oklahoma among the top 10 states earning the highest overall grades in January 2005 when more than 100 educational indicators are considered.  The Manhattan Institute in February 2005 documented Oklahoma’s graduation and college-readiness rates as higher than the national average in every category.  We also benefit from the 9th highest number of National Board Certified teachers in the U.S. 

 

Despite these great accomplishments by our state’s educators, Oklahoma’s average teacher salary ranks 50^th nationally.  We cannot continue to send mixed signals about teachers’ worth to society by holding them accountable for educating our future and paying them uncompetitive wages. 

Raising salaries to recruit and retain quality teachers is not a political issue; rather, it’s one of common sense.  Political rhetoric from the left or the right has never educated a single child. Only a highly qualified teacher with skills, tools, and support can make the lasting differences we want for our children.

 

Teachers spend more time with children on an average day than most parents do.  They teach our kids the values of community, hard work, and personal responsibility.  My late mother was an Oklahoma public school teacher who instilled in me those same values which guide me everyday in Congress. 

 

Teachers are more than just purveyors of facts and figures – they motivate, encourage and challenge tomorrow's leaders.  Future doctors, lawyers, businesspeople and public servants are sitting in classrooms today just waiting to be inspired.  By making a difference in young people's lives, teachers shape our future.

 

Please take the time to thank our teachers during this week – your kindness will be

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