Making a Difference with Quality Teachers
Reform in public education is and should be a productive debate, but it must be clearly recognized that reform in education will not happen without teachers. Teachers are the single most critical element to improving student achievement. Unfortunately, the on-going debate in Wisconsin has trickled across the border and has caused teachers to be collectively vilified and put on the defensive. The extremism of this debate has pitted teachers against the very families and students they seek to educate and serve. While there is certainly room for improvement in our public education system, as there is in any organization, the right answers lie somewhere in the middle and the debate to get there should not leave any group of individuals cast in such a negative light. We support out teachers and the excellent job they are doing in our classrooms. Productive educational reform will only take place when the input of all stakeholders is heard and valued.

We have spent our entire adult lives working to improve the education of our children and to provide our young people with opportunities to enjoy success in their lives. We know that in order to be successful, we must work with our teachers and show respect for their work. Individuals that enter the profession of education do so not to get rich, but because they enjoy working with young people. They want to make a difference with their work. We see it every single day in our classrooms, on our playgrounds, in a music presentation or on the athletic field. Will we have differences from time to time? Absolutely. But the answer to our differences will not be remedied by attacking the teaching profession and taking away their rights. We all want better schools and improved achievement. Only when we share our differences and look for common solutions will we provide true reform in education.

During these challenging times for public education, please take the opportunity to thank your child's teacher for the outstanding job they are doing, and encourage them to continue nurturing the academic growth and well-being of our students.

Craig Menozzi
Superintendent
New Prague Area Schools