Submitted by
Lincoln County Retired Teachers Association
National Education Week was Nov. 13-17, 2023. First celebrated in 1921, National Education Week has become a celebration during which communities across the country recognize the important roles their schools and the staff play in student development. This country has long devoted personnel and resources to achieve this significant goal. In Lincoln County alone, it is estimated that at one time there were perhaps 100 schools dotting the landscape. That fact truly shows our historic commitment to education in our part of the state.
Today, more than ever, communities are called upon to help our educational system excel in their quest to inspire excellence in each child. Whether during special weeks like National Education Week, or just during the course of a regular week, we should take a moment and thank those people who work in the forefront of a system that was designed to help each child attain her/his potential.
One suggestion is to have your child write a thank-you note to a teacher or two. Another is, even if you have been out of school for decades, send a note to that teacher who made a difference in your life.
Educating America’s youth has never been more important nor challenging than today. What can you do to help kids, schools and teachers?
Family efforts count. As a family, make education a priority. Set aside time daily to be a part of your child’s educational life. Actually talk with your child. Put reasonable limits on social media and gaming.
Read. Hopefully, this activity has begun in the home early in a child’s life. If not, it’s never too late to begin. Read to and with your child. Take your kid (and maybe the neighbor kids too!) to the library. It’s free, healthy entertainment. If you notice that your child experiences difficulties with reading, get help. Make sure your child sees you read daily.
Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help. If your child struggles, ask for help. Maybe it’s something as simple as an eye exam. Maybe your child displays characteristics of learning issues, such as dyslexia, speech issues, or a myriad of other learning obstacles. Some may require a clinical evaluation, while others can be addressed by school specialists.
This list of suggestions, although limited in length, would be an ideal way to make National Education Week extend to year-long commitment to our schools and those who work diligently to prepare our children and grandchildren to face a complex, demanding future stretching out for another hundred years and more. Let’s celebrate education!
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