Not so fast, Mrs. Romney.
Before you "throw out" the system of public education, there's someone I'd like you to meet.
His name is Jim and he was my daughter's 8th grade math teacher 6 years ago. When he taught in our small district where everybody knows everybody, Jim was by far one of the most admired teachers. He knew how to teach math in a way the kids understood, and when they didn't, he was available after school to help. Beyond the classroom, he lent a kind and sympathetic ear to any child having a problem navigating adolescence. Jim never talked down to the students. He respected them and earned their respect in return. At 8th grade graduation each student was given a rose to present to the person who had the greatest influence on them during middle school. Jim walked away with a large, well-deserved bouquet. Outside the classroom, Jim was an avid baseball fan and, in spring, he coached the junior varsity team at the high school. Every year he accompanied a group of 8th graders on a field trip to Washington DC during spring break, and every summer he chaperoned an educational high school trip to Europe. He went along because he knew that travel opens minds and broadens lives, and he wanted to share that experience with students. When several students became ill in the middle of the night on one of these excursions, Jim drove them to the emergency room and stayed with them all night.
Jim married three years ago and he and his wife recently adopted a beautiful baby girl. They moved to another state in June to be closer to his wife's family, and he accepted a teaching position there.
Sadly, Mrs. Romney, you will never have the opportunity to meet this amazing man, this public school teacher, in person. Last Monday he collapsed and died while on a trip accompanying students to historic sights in Virginia. Two communities thousands of miles apart are devastated and tributes have been pouring in. A Facebook page to honor his memory garnered 1800 likes in a single afternoon. Jim was only 33 and the coroner could find no cause of death except that he had "an enlarged heart." All who had the pleasure of meeting him would certainly agree.
Normally, I would let Ann's ignorant comment pass, but not today. There are too many teachers like Jim who deserve our thanks and gratitude for their efforts on behalf of their students and their communities. Jim leaves a lasting legacy of kindness and compassion. He inspired his students to be better people. He was the face of public education at its best, and no one should be allowed to get away with so callously dishonoring him and all who are public school teachers.
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