What it means to education?
The intent.
Ron DeSantis advocated, had passed by the Florida legislature, and signed “The Stop WOKE Act.” and “The Don’t Say Gay.” bills. Both bills place major restrictions on what and how teachers conduct education.
While I concentrate on “the Stop WOKE Act”, both bills target teaching progressive ideas. Teachers in Florida are now threatened with dismissal should they discuss issues which highlight discrepancies in how institutions treat the majority and minorities.
My History.
I come from a family of educators. While I myself did not become a teacher, I respect good teachers and believe in a well funded and robust public education system.
What makes a good teacher?
To me a good teacher must challenge students to think critically. A students should not only take positions, but should also defend those decisions. Teachers can challenge students by taking opposing positions, even if those positions don’t match their beliefs. Students often feel uncomfortable when being forced to defend a position. This discomfort can lead to complaints against the teachers.
Good teacher can be threatened with dismissal for making students feel uncomfortable.
The Result…
Education becomes more uniform and less expansive. In a democracy we need thinkers and leaders, not lemmings. We need voters who vote with their minds and not because of party.
- Yes, I vote Democratic and only Democratic in that way I’m lemming, but I also look at today’s environment and see Democrats offering solutions and Republicans highlighting problems. I don’t see Republicans offering real solutions.
- Anyone who doesn’t support a full accounting for the Jan 6th attack is breaking their oath of office and as such is unfit for office.
Certainly, I don’t see “The Stop WOKE Act” and the “Don’t say Gay” bills as solutions. I see them both as an attempt to limit discussion at a time when more discussion is necessary.
But this was not enough…
DeSantis also decided to ban books from school libraries. “The Don’t Say Gay” bill makes it more difficult on teachers who are gay from open discussions about their lives. DeSantis is muzzling differences. This is a direct assault on the diversity which is such a strength of this country.
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