It has been fourteen years since that dreadful September 11th morning that imprinted itself in the minds of Americans and our friends around the world. While we remember and talk about the day, still feeling stunned that this is a part of our American history, there is also a sense that the commemoration of our country coming together to support the fallen, their families and the heros who saved lives and comforted those who suffered great personal loss, is starting to diminish. Not unlike the fading of the December 7, 1941 bombing of Pearl Harbor, we are beginning to become removed from the personal horror that was experienced on that fateful day.
As schools across the country begin to embrace the importance of preparing students who are digitally literate global citizens, we must also remember that our American school system was the first embodiment of educating United States citizens; preparing students to be contributing adults in the American workforce, paying taxes and participating in government. With this in mind, it is important to ask ourselves how a sense of patriotism is continuing to be passed down through each generation. What events are our schools and local communities supporting to educate students about our history beyond the textbook and instill in them a sense of pride and understanding of what it means to be born a United States citizen or to be blessed to be able to live in our country?
The founders of our great country intentionally left any reference to education out of the U.S. Constitution, clearly communicating their intent that this be a State’s right. The State of California has recently adopted the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) to support the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) further acknowledging the responsibilities of local communities to be involved in establishing the educational priorities in our schools. Let us now use these freedoms to support schools that prepare our children to remember the sacrifices of those of who have gone before us to allow us to live in a country where we have come to see public education as a right rather than a privilege, where we have the freedom of speech to voice our opinions and the funding mechanisms both from a federal and state support system to educate each generation.
Let us remember to recognize our local heroes: our police, firefighters and paramedics, as well as our national heroes serving in the military who preserve for us the ability to enjoy our freedoms.
Education, Leadership, and Pedagogy 