Let me tell you a story.

I’ve taught next door, across the building, and across campus from some really bad teachers.

unhelpful teacher

I have sat in staff meeting at the same table as teachers who give printed notes to students to copy down into their notebook, and that is their sole class activity for the year.

As a teacher, my profession is cheapened if bad teachers aren’t held accountable. That’s why we have standards; so that there is a minimum expectation to guide teachers and students.

I have a daughter (and a son on the way). In a few years when I send her to school, I expect the school to do a good job training her in skills she’ll need to be successful. Some things will come easily to her, some will be more difficult, and some will sit in darkness until a special teacher shines a light on them.

When I send my child to school, I’m giving my acceptance that school will do a good job. If I don’t like it, I can pull her out and home-school or private-school her.

my-child-is-not-common-ap

Of course, your child isn’t common. No child is.

Schools do the best that we can with the diverse, unique students that are sent through our doors every day.

Therein lies my problem with the advocates against the Common Core;

If you don’t like it, you can leave.

Otherwise, you’re just the kid who goes to a birthday party and complains about the flavor of cake.

(Parents Against Chocolate Fudge)

(Concerned Parents Against Chocolate Fudge)

~Matt “Not afraid of Common Core, but a little afraid of the trolls this post will attract” Vaudrey