A True Education

The Founding Fathers maintained that the success of the fragile American democracy would depend on the competency of its citizens. They believed strongly that preserving democracy would require an educated population that could understand political and social issues and would participate in civic life, vote wisely, protect their rights and freedoms, and resist tyrants and demagogues. Character and virtue were also considered essential to good citizenship, and education was seen as a means to provide moral instruction and build character…..Soon after the American Revolution, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and other early leaders proposed the creation of a more formal and unified system of publicly funded schools. 

Center on Education Policy

Since our earliest days as a democracy our forefathers have understood that at the foundation of a healthy democracy was a quality school system.  We continue to strive today to provide a system that allows all students, independent of race, creed, color, or socio economic circumstance, to have the ability to access a quality education. I have had the honor and privilege to serve as a teacher in our public schools for the last 27 years.  Thousands of students have come through my classroom doors, each with a unique and valuable story to share.   

When the world around us seems like an unbalanced mess I often turn to my students because they have the innate ability to block out the world around them and focus on what is important.  I teach 8th grade, a time of much turmoil and consternation in their adolescent bodies.  Many of my students are involved in their different denomination youth activities.  I had the opportunity to witness four such students, of their own accord, having a fabulous conversation regarding the rites of passage in their respective religious communities (Jewish, Muslim, Lutheran, and Catholic). They asked insightful questions and sought to understand each other.  There was no judgment, there was no agenda, there were no ulterior motives.  They engaged in an open free discussion of their beliefs. Having, myself, grown up in a parochial school I realized that their experiences were much richer for having the ability to converse in such a manner at such a young age.  The public school system that they have participated in fostered the ability to question the world around them, seek new information, engage experts, and apply their new found knowledge to the world around them.  THAT is a true education!

— Julia Luetkenhaus