As an educator, citizen, and parent, I am concerned that many of our policy makers in Raleigh may view these content areas as "extras" or "luxuries." If so, this is certainly looking at what happens in classrooms across our great state through a very discolored lens. In fact, the opposite view is the correct view. The arts, music, and physical education classes are as essential to core instructional areas as anything else that is taught in schools and is so intertwined in other curricula that it would be a crime to attempt to tease them out of schools.
Imagine the world where students are not taught by experts in the areas of visual arts, music, and physical education. We already seem to be heading down a road where we have forgotten that much, if not all, of the beauty and culture we experience in our lives, both today and for future generations, was possibly sparked in classrooms where finger paint, watercolor, tambourines, and games of all sorts were played.
As a parent, I am troubled that my son's education may be jeopardized by the inability of our leaders to understand the importance of providing students with educational opportunities that are diverse in nature. I took the time today to look up the definition of education. Two popped up on my screen:
Interestingly, the word education is connected to educare. Both definitions are appropriate, and both are necessary. My hope is that there is enough enlightenment left in the North Carolina General Assembly to make the right decisions in these matters. We certainly need a little more care about the education of our students in North Carolina. School should be an enlightening experience in more than one way.
Electronic References:
Dr. Jeff Isenhour @JeffIsenhour
Bunker Hill High School Principal
Follow Dr. Isenhour on Twitter @JeffIsenhour
Contact Dr. Isenhour by email Jeffrey_Isenhour@catawbaschools.net
Follow Dr. Isenhour on Twitter @JeffIsenhour
Contact Dr. Isenhour by email Jeffrey_Isenhour@catawbaschools.net
April 5, 2017
