Challenging Our Kids

Over the last few weeks and over the last few years... As I campaigned this fall I ran into many different opinions about what schools need to do to prepare kids for the future. During my exchanges I noticed a common thread. This theme isn't new to me, nor to educators in general but I think it needs to be voiced time and time again. I even advocated for this back in 1989 when I first came to school board meetings. At my very first SB meeting I asked this question...As a new resident of North Penn what is the school district doing to prepare my children for success? I remember this question so well because nobody at the meeting responded... so I sat back down and waited a minute... and then a gentlemen sitting in the audience tapped me on the shoulder and said..."Good question...You really stumped them..."  Understand it wasn't my intention... I just wanted to know what my school district was going to do to help my family and my children... After the meeting a small group of gentlemen known as the North Penn Taxpayer's Association officers talked to me. After a short discussion we all agreed the best way to prepare students is to maintain an atmoshpere of free inquiry that will help develop independent and capable thinkers who can judge for themselves what's the best path to take for success and for maintaining our vibrant democratic society. This election reminded me that most parents, taxpayers, and voters...including myself, still think this way...