Educate our educators

In spite of the sincere efforts of our K-12 educators in the state of Idaho, there is a lack of student mental stimulation, therefore, students are not motivated toward further learning. From my perspective, our teachers have the student’s best interest at heart, and they do the best they can. I suspect the crux of teachers’ failed attempts of producing students eager to further their education, once graduated from high school, lies indirectly with administration. I feel sure the Idaho students, had they received excellent learning skills from K-12 grades, would not be at the bottom of the barrel according to the U.S. educational evaluation system.

I can’t place the entire blame of inadequate education of Idaho’s students solely on our dedicated teachers, although they could attempt to continue improving their teaching skills by further educating themselves, so they could be the best they could be. I also lay the blame on the administration.

The administration’s vetting process of K-12 educators applying for teaching positions at our Idaho schools needs to be upgraded. The objective of filling a position within a school district should not be only to fill a slot, but to hire in the best interest of the students. In doing so, only the best qualified applicants should be selected and their pay should reflect their superior teaching skills.

If highly trained teachers were paid accordingly, I suspect, overall, the teachers applying would realize this job is no gravy train to support them, but an honored job educating our young people by stimulating their thinking skills and creating a thirst for learning.

I realize we have many teachers “under the bar” as to their teaching skills. Some people might, and others within the administration, do think the reason for our student learning problems are a confusing issue. I disagree. The students get out of schooling what they are taught and how this message is delivered.

Superior student learning is all about the administration hiring the best teachers who have learned the skills essential for motivating our students so they can not only survive financially in this world, but to create within them a feeling of accomplishment. Otherwise, these young people who graduate from high school, and those who do not, will not attempt to pursue further education, because their learning experience has been a struggle throughout their K-12 years. They realize their lack of thinking skills and their limited degree of education, so they take whatever job is out there. Sad to say, this cycle continues in their offspring’s lives.

I propose to the administration – disregard your relationship with your favorite friends/teachers, co-workers under your guidance, and weed out those are unskilled teachers who have given teachers, in general, a black eye. Then, hire the best trained teachers for our kids. These top-notch professionals deserve an excellent wage and will earn the respect of the community. Only then will we see a turnaround in the pursuit of higher education by our high-school graduates. If and when this change occurs, we can say “Thank you” to these skilled teachers for giving our students a thirst for higher education and opportunity, so they can become productive members of our society.

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Janie Hansen is a Coeur d’Alene resident.