Former student comes to defense of local schools
I’m writing this letter in response to Mark Agather’s guest opinion which was published earlier this month.
Mr. Agather argues that our local K-12 school system is inadequate because it’s full of “liberal political philosophies” which were created by “[liberal] political influence[s]” and were funded by “political monopolies.”
Being a 2010 graduate of Glacier High School, a 2011 graduate of Flathead Valley Community College and a 2012 graduate of University of Montana, I’m in a unique position to examine Mr. Agather’s concerns about our “liberal school system” and give personal insight about my educational experiences.
Mr. Agather first argues that due to the “politically correct agenda” there has been reduced emphasis on the core essentials of reading, writing, math and critical thinking. The only agenda that educators have is to enrich the lives of their students. Due to these teachers and staff members’ dedication to educate, inspire and challenge their students, we are able to help form well-rounded and well-educated individuals so that by the time they graduate they are ready to go out into the world and achieve their own ambitions and aspirations.
The goal of School District 5 is not to force students to conform to a “political agenda” but rather to encourage them to try new things, venture into new areas of thought and become active in their own community.
Unbeknownst to Mr. Agather, reading, writing, math and critical thinking are something that students in School District 5 are taught from kindergarten all the way through high school. What Mr. Agather fails to mention is that the district also offers courses in music, art, language, science, history, vocational education and theater (just to name a few). Not to mention the various clubs and activities that the school system offers from sports to speech and debate to marching band to business professionals of America; the majority of which teachers volunteer their time and energy to run.
School District 5 also offers honors, advanced placement and international baccalaureate classes for students who want to think at a higher level and they even allow high school students to take part in Running Start classes at FVCC.
Mr. Agather then argues that our school system is so “unjust and unfair” that it can’t continue because there needs to be an alternate school for children to go to where they don’t have to attend sex education classes or classes that deal with the current issue of climate change and where students can focus on “the role Christianity played in the founding of our country.”
The only “unjust and unfair” thing that our school system is facing is the extremely low wages that our educators make. They are tremendously overworked and underpaid and the school system is running on limited resources. All of the teachers and staff members don’t do it for the money; they take their low income with pride because they know that they are making a difference and are shaping a future full of brilliant minds. Most of these teachers spend more time with students than their parents do and the bond that the teachers make lasts a lifetime and often has lasting effects on students’ lives.
Montanans have voted time after time to increase the funding for education both at the K-12 and college level because they know that education is the key to a strong future and thriving economy.
Mr. Agather claims that even the University of Montana has a “liberal agenda” but he fails to acknowledge that a well-rounded individual is educated in a diverse amount of subjects which can include women’s studies. Funding education is not something that should be feared because some of the subjects that are taught don’t conform with personal beliefs; rather it should be encouraged because we are teaching students how to think from a different perspective and at a higher level.
If it wasn’t for my teachers at School District 5 who took me under their wing, who helped me write papers, understand chemistry, speak in front of a crowd, have the courage to try something new and force me out of my comfort zone, I wouldn’t be where I’m at today. I would not have joined the military at the age of 17, I would not have graduated with my bachelor’s degree in two years, and I would not have been able to enter law school at the age of 20.
Our educators should be thanked and applauded for their dedication and devotion to their students, not accused of being part of some left-wing political mind-warping conspiracy.
Mr. Agather, are you listening?
Oxford is a resident of Kalispell, a member of the Montana Air Guard and a law student at Phoenix School of Law