They deserve our praise These last few months have been challenging for most everyone. Our normal routines and activities that previously provided structure have been turned upside down. The state’s educational system has faced sweeping changes and has been forced to dramatically adjust the ways in which teachers connect to their students. New York’s educators […]
They deserve our praise
These last few months have been challenging for most everyone. Our normal routines and activities that previously provided structure have been turned upside down. The state’s educational system has faced sweeping changes and has been forced to dramatically adjust the ways in which teachers connect to their students. New York’s educators and administrators have put in an incredible amount of work to make the most of a difficult situation.
We recently celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week, and I cannot think of a better example of all the work these incredible people do than what we have seen this academic year. Their ability to adapt during this unprecedented educational upheaval is remarkable. Teachers’ dedication to students, willingness to go above, and beyond and their daily professionalism deserves our recognition. We are fortunate that our youngest New Yorkers are in the hands of teachers who care so deeply and compassionately about them.
As educators rise to the occasion, they regularly deal with the challenges their students face in a new and unfamiliar environment. Children have not been able to see their friends and classmates each day and are missing the benefits of in-class instruction time. It is through innovation and creativity that schools and teachers are finding new ways to connect and improve students’ ability to work independently and with focus.
Recently, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has made plans about “reimagining” education on the other side of this health crisis. He questioned the need for the traditional classroom model and announced that he would partner with Microsoft founder Bill Gates on advancing the use of technology in the education. For parents and teachers who lived through previous forays of the Gates Foundation into New York’s educational system, this is hardly welcome news. There may be a number of ways technology can, and will, offer new educational opportunities. But, right now our focus must be on eradicating this terrible virus, reopening society, and getting children back in classrooms with their peers as soon as possible.
These are uncertain times, especially considering the enormous budgetary shortfalls we are expecting in the next few years. Now is not the time add even greater uncertainty into an education sector facing tremendous pressures. Now is the time for damage control; it is the time to offer any protections we can to our most important institutions. Our children need socialization, interaction, and togetherness. This must be the priority of any plans for our state’s education system.
Ultimately, we are going to be OK. New York, especially, has always rallied in times of crisis and our capacity for kindness and compassion is unrivaled. We are strong. For now, keep doing the best you can and take care of each other; that is all we really can do right now.
William (Will) A. Barclay, Republican, is the New York Assembly Minority Leader and represents the 120th New York Assembly District, which encompasses most of Oswego County, including the cities of Oswego and Fulton, as well as the town of Lysander in Onondaga County and town of Ellisburg in Jefferson County. Contact Barclay at barclaw@assembly.state.ny.us or (315) 598-5185.