THOUGHTS ON JANUARY 6TH

 by Ruth A. Sheets 

Happy New Year!  I remember beginning 2021 with great hope that 2021 would see the end of COVID-19 (it hasn’t) and that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris would bring some strong positive changes to our nation (they have).  I also hoped climate change AKA global warming would become the top priority it should be (it hasn’t but some small movement is happening).

I knew Donald Trump could not let go of power and was scheming to keep Biden/Harris from taking office.  I had no idea his obsession with power would lead him to incite an insurrection.  That horrific event unfolded in front of the nation on TV, radio, and social media.  I had known in the past that rioting sometimes happened when poor, disenfranchised people had given up hope that their lives would improve and that they would finally be treated like full citizens of this country, but not a riot by privileged white folks. 

Trump’s supporters are not disenfranchised, though some are poor.  Most are white and have the privileges that provides.  Despite this, Mr. Trump and his entourage had convinced a significant number of them that they are owed something and had the right to claim it by whatever means necessary.  In addition, Democrats in general and minorities in particular had cheated Mr. Trump of the presidency and his followers had the right to take it back for him.

As a former teacher, I can’t help but wonder why the teachers of the insurgents hadn’t gotten them to understand how our government works.  When a fair election is held (as the 2020 election was), the actually elected president and vice-president would assume their positions at the head of our government. 

Where is critical thinking among the Trump supporters?  How is it they would believe a man who lied more than 30,000 times in public in the four years of his presidency over the thousands of Republican and Democratic election officials throughout the country who had certified the election for Biden/Harris? 

I remember reading that if a person has been entitled and given all kinds of advantages, equality seems to them like oppression.  I think that is what is happening here.  Trump and his entourage are tapping into the deep fear among some white folks that somehow they will lose their advantages which, of course, they don’t see as advantages, but rights.  They are so used to everything being a competition where someone wins which means the rest have to lose.  They have no concept of a win-win scenario where everyone can win.  People of color can obtain full citizenship without causing white Americans to be less than full citizens.  Too many of the Trump supporters think that somehow they have the right to become millionaires because that is their destiny, so taxing millionaires and billionaires at fair rates might cause them to lose some of their “hard-won” money. 

I have been pondering this for a long time.  How did such a large segment of our population come to be so fearful of everyone and everything that they don’t fully know?  I believe it is largely because over time there has been very little accountability for this group’s behavior.  There has always been double standards for the ways white people and people of color have been treated in our country.  From the very beginning, white individuals and groups have perpetrated violence against those they don’t like or trust.  Rarely have they been held responsible.  In fact, they have often been encouraged. 

Even though most white people in the South, for example didn’t own slaves, they saw slavery as their right.  Most white people didn’t wreck the homes of Black people moving into their neighborhoods, but they saw it as their right if they had chosen too because “those people didn’t belong here in our neighborhood anyway.”  When Chinese-owned businesses were destroyed, it was often seen as just the way things were and “if those people didn’t like it they should go back where they came from.”  Rarely was anyone even charged for these crimes.  Lynchings were often public events, family fare.  If anyone questioned the behavior, they too could be targeted no matter their color.  Few spoke up against the US Government’s imprisonment of Japanese-Americans during WWII.  It is rare for charges to be brought against workers at detention centers who abuse, even kill the immigrants imprisoned there.

The insurrection, as I see it, is an outgrowth of irresponsibility.  The media covered Trump as though he were worthy of attention beyond anything he had done.  All he had to do was read a script on the teleprompter and he was “acting presidential.”  The media when he ran for election covered him and his antics many times more than Hillary Clinton who actually deserved quality coverage because she had experience and plans to help the people of this country, while Trump had neither.

Trump was given the OK to speak outside the White House on January 6, 2021, another speech filled with lies and insults of people he didn’t like.  He claimed there was so much fraud in 6 of the states that he actually won the election.  His speech has been replayed in part and whole during the past year, so anyone who pays attention knows what he told his most rabid supporters. 

Trump and his cronies had planned a lot of what happened following his speech.  The goal, stop the formal electoral college count no matter how.  (OK, it is just another proof that the electoral college needs to be gone, but that is an aside.)

The insurrection began at the Capitol.  It went on more than 3 hours before Donald Trump, President of the United States sort of called it off.  By then, 5 people were dead, the Capitol, our Capitol was trashed and pooped on by people who carried Confederate flags, wore Nazi symbols, and used American flags to assault police officers.  They also terrorized our elected leaders.  No one was arrested and taken to prison at the time, the claim, the police were overwhelmed.  The FBI and others are still sort of looking for additional participants.  The accountability is still lacking, a year later.  The most serious sentence so far, just over 5 years for assaulting a police officer.

I can’t help but wonder how things would have been different had those who attacked our Capitol been Black or other people of color.  I suspect there would have been many left dead on the floor.  That was one of my first thoughts even as the attack was going on.  That’s because racism is really alive and very healthy in our nation as it has always been.  Events of this past year make that quite clear. 

- A white man killed 2 men and injured another at a protest he had no business being at and was found not-guilty.   

- School boards all over this country are trying to reinstate the old practice of white-washing American history so fragile little white kids won’t be upset by the appalling actions of people who could have been their ancestors.

- School boards are working to ban books by and about people of color so their straight white kids won’t have to read about people different from themselves.

- Anti-voting bills have been introduced in 48 states and several have passed, particularly in former Confederate states to specifically keep people of color from voting.

- Donald Trump and his racist rants still play very well on Fox “News” and other outlets run and visited primarily by scared whites, mostly men, and he still holds rallies for his racist supporters.

So, it is the anniversary of January 6^th.  What are we going to do about it?  Will Donald Trump and the organizers of the insurgency be held accountable?  I honestly doubt it.  Our Attorney General did not seem too keen on dealing with this event with the urgency it deserves.  Somehow, Donald Trump will again be let off like a spoiled child and our nation will be scarred by our continued inability to hold people accountable for their actions, or rather, the white Republican ones.  Biden is already being held accountable, blamed for not doing something in his first year, I am not quite sure what that is because he rolled out COVID vaccines to all the states with unprecedented speed, passed a bill to financially support families, got an infrastructure bill passed that will fix a lot of our roads, bridges, railways, as well as expand the internet, and appointed really qualified judges for the federal courts.  That’s pretty damn amazing, but not to the media which is already regularly predicting a Republican take-over in this year’s elections. 

Do I think there will be fair accountability for the insurrection?  No, I don’t.  I do want to be proven wrong, though.

PANDEMIC TEACHING

by Ruth A. Sheets

I am a teacher and have been for more than a quarter of a century.  The 2020-2021 school year has been the most difficult for me since I started teaching.  Of course, it is primarily due to the pandemic. 

We teachers have been meeting with our students by zoom for nearly a year.  That in itself is not the problem, it is that we and our supervisors are trying to pretend that this year is no different from all other years.  It is.  Nothing like this pandemic has happened to us in a bit over a century.  We were not prepared for it either as individuals or as school communities, and that is definitely evident. 

We should be using the issues of the pandemic and the challenges as teachable moments and base our reading, math, science, and social studies instruction on that.  We should take this opportunity to focus on problem-solving what the country should look like when the pandemic has been tamed.  There will be a new normal.  Having students read and respond to materials relevant to that potential new normal would help them feel as though they have a part in creating what is to come.  

We should have been using the technology available to us to help students connect with others in very positive ways and let them help each other explore the challenges of COVID-19, systemic racism, global warming, poverty, and the other issues that have been brought into full relief since the start of the pandemic.  The internet is working, so students can explore and report back.  Even young children can participate – C is for COVID, V is for virus.  I bet there is a whole alphabet for the words of this special time.  

In addition, we need to stop calling this a lost year and complaining that students have gained nothing since March 2020.  By trying to pretend teaching and learning are just the same but online is doing a great disservice to our teachers and students as well as our families.  Our children are not failures.  They are amazing young people who are learning to face some adversity and figuring out how to deal with it.  That is astonishing and we should be acknowledging them for it rather than beating them down with ridiculous expectations of learning the usual curriculum at the same pace as pre-pandemic times.  That makes no sense and can be a factor in sending our precious kids into depression and other emotional pain.  I have even heard educators state that we should not refer to the pandemic at all.  Talk about burying one’s head in the sand!

With the stress of learning to survive and eventually, perhaps to thrive in this weird world of Zoom, hybrid, whatever, educators are still expected to administer the weeks-long batteries of standardized tests, if not this spring, than definitely in the fall.  For what purpose will this be done, so the corporations that make the tests won’t lose money, so we can prove our kids didn’t master all the stuff in the curriculum while also trying to manage life in COVID Land?

This should be a time of experimentation.  We should be looking at ways to catch our students’ attention, deeply involve them in what is happening and help them develop the social-emotional intelligence that will give them the ability to function as active informed citizens.  Perhaps the books and online resources we go to should show young people (or animal characters) dealing with tough situations and making it through.  They could be encouraged to write about their experiences of this year.  I suspect their descriptions will look quite different from those of adults during this time.

Colleagues are giving out “F’s” like candy to accentuate that our kids really are failures if they don’t come to Zoom every day and don’t hand in activities they know don’t relate in any way to and ignore what they are experiencing.  This is just one more way our society demonstrates its lack of true care for and appreciation of our precious children. 

One thing I know for certain, we can do better. 

EVERYBODY OPEN THE SCHOOLS! WHAT?

by Ruth A. Sheets

So, the command has come down from on high.  All schools will open this fall.  And, if they don’t, funds will be CUT from the districts that don’t follow this command (who dare to care about the safety of their students, teachers, and staff)

There are a couple of things to note about that pronouncement.  First, Donald Trump has no right to interfere with the schools’ funding.  His ignorance and arrogance know no bounds. Betsy DeVos, Secretary of Education, knows nothing about education, medicine, or anything else besides money, so her demands are irrelevant and should be dismissed as the hogwash they are.

Once past that nonsense, the problem remains.  What must happen when it is time for students to begin classes this fall? 

I am a teacher and worry about the decisions our school districts must make as to how school will be conducted this year during a pandemic that is not yet under control.  In the spring, we were caught off guard by the out-of-control COVID19 so were not nearly prepared to operate online classes.  Some teachers managed to get lessons going and there were the online reading and math programs, but many of our students didn’t have computer access until the beginning of June while some are still waiting.  Some have computers or rather one computer for 2 or more children.  

A big challenge was making sure the students could figure out how to take full advantage of the resources available.  Some never caught on.  Some of us teachers didn’t get online either.  All over the country teachers and students are trying to figure out how to get complex concepts down in this new, certainly not mastered format. 

Then, there are the children with special needs.  Computer time often does not work for them.  They need the hands-on connection with teachers to learn the required skills.  What happens when they are at home for months without that trained teacher’s attention?    

Over the years, teachers have been called lazy, useless, a waste of good money, and a host of other pejoratives.  I guess one good thing coming from this lock down is that teachers are a bit more appreciated, at least in some quarters.  We may still be seen as glorified free babysitters, but they now realize they need us. 

That need is what is causing Donald Trump and Betsy DeVos to toss out their demands and threats.  Their economy will not be able to reignite without babysitters (child care) for the workers they need.  A killer virus stalks and they whine that the workers don’t have people to watch their kids. 

Trump and DeVos are not interested in the problems the schools have opening every year with obtaining sufficient supplies, properly maintaining old buildings, etc.  They are OK with attempting to destroy the public school system in favor of publicly funded privately operated charter schools which are generally better funded, not more successful.  They just want their economy’s babysitters and their charges back in school.  They don’t actually care about the quality of education the children get or they wouldn’t push vouchers and more charter schools.  Neither program has proven superior to traditional public schools, they just suck taxpayer money into the pockets of rich folks who “say” they can do it better, or rather, cheaper.  They can’t!  The Trumpers just want babysitters.  Now! 

The Trump DeVos team does not care about what students are truly getting from what the government offers because they don’t expect or even want those kids to compete with the privileged white kids in private schools and the wealthiest public school districts.   They want babysitters, and McDonalds workers, hotel housekeepers, farm laborers.  Those are the jobs they want for American workers and they are hoping the public schools (and charters) will provide them.  That way we don’t need immigrants, right?

Now we come to COVID19.  The current president can’t even wear a mask without practically having a heart attack.  He can’t even repeat what scientists know, that masks do help keep the virus from spreading.  He still hangs with the line said once or twice back in February before people knew much about how the virus works.   That was five months ago and Americans have watched family members, friends, front-line workers and others die, 140,000 of us so far.  We have seen stories of people on ventilators.  about 30% die even with ventilator assistance.  No one really knows yet how many children get the virus and whether or not they pass it.  We do know that people over 60 and people of color are at significant risk for becoming infected.  We also know that at this point there are few places in the U.S. where cases of COVID19 are not on the rise.

This does not seem to me and to most Americans, (particularly parents) as a good time to reopen in-person school sessions.  But it looks great to the Trump-DeVos team.  They are so anxious to get parents back to work, they would sacrifice teachers, staff, students, and families, and for what, so Trump can claim a thriving economy?  That sounds pretty messed up to me.         

I love my students and want to be with them more than anything, but I work in a school district where most of our students live in poverty or near poverty.  Many have serious health problems and their families are also at risk.  How will opening in-person schools serve the people here? 

A challenge for me is that as a blind person it has been hard for me to gain access to the online services other teachers are able to bring to their students.  Disabled teachers, like disabled students are generally not considered when schedule changes happen.  Being back in school with my kids would be better for me, but not for everyone else.  So, I use the US Post Office to get materials and books to my students, 7 mailings since March.  How long will that form of connection to my students last if Donald Trump gets his way and takes down the US Post Office?  Who knows? 

So, let’s see, The Trump crew wants schools reopened so he can get the parents back to work and they’ll have their free babysitters.  His team cares nothing for the safety of the school communities.  He wants to put everyone at risk so he can claim a great jobs report and strong economy, IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC THAT IS NOT UNDER CONTROL!  Then, there’s the Post Office . . . .    

I am not totally sure what the answer is.   I suspect it will vary from district to district, from state to state and may involve a number of different models.  What I do know is that teachers need to be in the discussions from the beginning as do families and other members of the community like doctors, nurses, and other health care persons.  COVID19 is no joke as some like to believe.  People are dying or have permanent physical impairments due to the virus.  Unless a whole range of safety measures are put in place, I don't see how schools can open  no matter how much I and the other teachers would like to be back physically with our kids.  I also don't see the money flowing from Congress toward districts to help us with those safety measures. 

It is truly a tragedy that Trump & Co. had no clue and could not get a handle on what was needed for dealing with COVID19.  We will all be paying for that lack of vision for years to come.  I just don’t want our children, families, teachers, and staff to pay for it unnecessarily with our lives.

GO TEACHERS !

Teachers have been maligned in many ways over the past 2 decades.  We have been blamed for our students' poverty, their inability to focus, their negative behavior (when they exhibit such), students' lack of progress, and so many other things.  We are given more and more work every year.  Our ability to teach is infringed every day by administrators and politicians who could not do what we do.  And, we are told "You have off every summer, what are you complaining about!" 

Funding for our schools is cut over and over.  Important programs like libraries, music, and art are cut.  Those who do the cutting do not send their children to the schools without these programs.  But, they do institute charter schools in the poorest communities.  charter schools and their private owners are paid top dollar for doing less with more, while public schools must constantly do more with less. 

Adversarial relationships are developed between parents and community members and teachers by conservative media that would love all public schools to be taken over by dogmatic thought-control institutions that can steer our children's minds to a place where they will question nothing. 

We force students to take standardized, "gotcha" tests that don't measure what they know, but the level of stress and frustration they will tolerate while "proving" they are ignorant fools. 

In many states, teacher salaries are insufficient to cover daily expenses while financial guys who don't work nearly as hard are paid millions.  How is this right?

Enough!

We teachers are sick of it.  Sometimes, striking is the only weapon we have when the situation becomes so bad we can no longer function in any meaningful way.  It is interesting the states where teachers face the harshest conditions and lowest salaries are the most conservative?  Hmmm!  These are also the states that have vilified unions, which in most places are the only protection teachers have.  It's time the public learns that unions are the only force in our country that has truly championed workers over time. 

I am 100% behind the teachers all over the country who are walking out for their rights and the rights of their students to have the resources they need to succeed!  This is a start, but we have a long way to go to bring our schools to a place where schools are seen as essential, charter schools are held accountable, teachers are respected as professionals, and students are given more options related to their education.  Schools must have sufficient resources to select and teach a curriculum that emphasizes critical and creative thinking and problem-solving.

This is asking a lot, but it can be done.  In 1957 when the Russian satellite Sputnik was launched, America stepped up and enhanced its educational programs to prepare students for a challenging science-centered future.  We need another similar program to develop well-informed, thoughtful, creative citizens prepared to face a changing world where global warming will impact everything. 

So, pay teachers a professional salary.  Evaluate curricula and select those that are strongest related to truth, critical and creative thinking, and problem-solving in the real world.  Re-instate music, the arts in general, and libraries in the schools.  Incorporate technology in ways that will allow students to broadly explore their world through guided inquiry.  Truly embrace diversity and provide resources to shape each students education to actual needs.  Employ sufficient staff to support the work of the teachers. 

Then, here is the inexpensive part.  Encourage media outlets to promote the teaching profession as exciting, challenging, and essential for the future of our country. 

A Worthy Resolution

by Ruth A. Sheets

I am currently in my 18^th year teaching in one of the poorest school districts in the state of Pennsylvania.  Poverty and its implications are a constant shadow which my students and their families must face every day.  Parents here try to get for their kids all the things that other kids have:  iPhones, Droids, X-boxes, etc., even if it means a big financial sacrifice.

What I know from being here is that having things, even the things that more wealthy people have, does not necessarily provide the advantages one might expect.  Learning how to text, access FaceBook anywhere, and playing “Call to Duty” may provide something of a common language, but the drive for success as determined by the society at large does not necessarily accompany these shared activities for poor children.

I have very intelligent, creative students who could match ability with anyone.  Despite the daily challenges just to get through, they must also find time to babysit for younger siblings, help out older relatives, volunteer in their churches.  These tasks are not rated highly as extra-curricular activities.  They often take a lot of time and effort.  They rarely win points on college applications, if a student even feels worthy of going to college. 

Our district has cut out nearly everything that enhances life and builds self-esteem.  That is, except sports.  Basketball and football are big, so if a student has athletic ability, there are options.   Music and the arts, even though all kinds of research shows high value in these areas for students are now gone.  There is some effort to get private funding to add these as after school activities, but where does that leave those baby-sitting, elder care-giving, volunteering students?  They still miss out.

People on the outside looking in think of poverty as a personal choice, a desire to be lazy, a lack of commitment to a job, to be a “taker” as many Republicans would call it.  Not true, of course, but if the society can keep this understanding of poverty alive, it means that little or nothing has to be done for poor folks.  Teachers can be blamed for low test scores.  Parents can be blamed for not taking care of their kids properly.  Mismanagement of cities and school districts can be blamed for a lack of resources.  No one has to really look at poverty and what it actually does to individuals, communities, and societies.  No restructuring is required.  No middle or upper class people will be expected to address poverty and their role in it.

If people understood poverty even at its most basic level, the “Fiscal Cliff” nonsense would not even be looming.  The tax loopholes would have already been closed.  The wealthy would be paying their fair share.  Capital gains would be properly recognized as income.  Businesses would be striving to produce quality products and not be dumping their junk in poor communities, the quality of the environment in poor neighborhoods would not be permitted to deteriorate.

To rethink poverty is too much work.  There are no instant fixes.  We need someone in power with courage to reimagine what we as Americans can do to seriously eliminate poverty .  This is a worthy New Year’s Resolution, but whose resolution?