Since every person on this planet is a unique gift to the world, it stands to reason that many young people have a variety of learning styles as well. Some children will learn no matter how you teach them; others need to be reached in an alternative-learning style.
I believe very strongly in public education because it teaches kids to get along in a diverse world. However, there may be better ways to engage our students by capitalizing on their interests. I would love to see more schools-within-a-school that would give students with special interests such as performing arts, philosophy, technology, math and science, more emphasis in those areas. (Notice I put arts and philosophy first, because I often feel we push the sciences rather than the arts, remember the degrees are bachelor of arts or bachelor of science).
While I like the idea of charter schools, I see problems as to how to assure consistency if entire communities or states converted to having charter schools. I am truly for any program that emphasizes our children learning in a way that benefits them, nurturing their intellect, talents and their ability to enjoy learning, care about each other and give back productively to the world around them.
-- Sandra Smith, Kennewick
Similar stories:
Daughter puts Pasco father's art into book
Daughter puts Pasco father's art into book
PASCO -- Jim Chicouris of Pasco has an artist's eye for color and style.
That flair led him to a career as a graphic artist in the Chicago area for more than 50 years.
But his kind of work is a dying art these days.
Richland High junior to teach class at library
Richland High junior to teach class at library
J.R. Guffey has been drawing cartoons and comics for about 10 years.
"I started with stick figures at age 5 and worked my way up the hill," Guffey said. "I am self-taught and always loved reading comic books."
Guffey, a 16-year-old junior at Richland High School, will teach youngsters the art of comic book drawing from 2 to 4 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Richland Public Library. There is no cost.
Deep space inspiration
Deep space inspiration
Rich Langdell's out-of-this-world spray-paint art will fit right in at this year's RadCon 6 Sci-fi Fantasy Convention, which is Feb. 17-19 in Pasco.
The Burbank artist uses the spray paint to create science fiction imagery, where the darkness of deep space provides just the right backdrop to the vibrant colors of various sized planets and stars. He will be demonstrating the craft at the convention.
He was introduced to spray-paint art several years ago when his sister-in-law bought a painting while visiting Las Vegas.
Food for Thought: Lutefisk dinner planned Feb. 4
Food for Thought: Lutefisk dinner planned Feb. 4
If you're in the mood for Scandinavian cuisine, plan to attend the annual Sons of Norway lutefisk dinner on Feb. 4.
They will be serving authentic Scandinavian fare from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Kennewick First Lutheran Church. The meal, served buffet-style, includes lutefisk, Norwegian meatballs and gravy, potatoes, lefse, salad and an assortment of Scandinavian cookies.
Cost is $20 for adults and $8 for children 5 to 12 years old. Children 4 and younger are free. Tickets will be sold at the door.
Follow Finnish model
Follow Finnish model
What is "wrong" with our schools gets the emphasis, but there seems little chance of agreement on what needs to be done.
There is no harder working nor more idealistic group of professionals than teachers, bless them, and by giving teachers the tools and freedom to do their jobs, students will thrive.
For a look at what works, see the article, "A+ for Finland" in the current issue of Smithsonian magazine. While struggling under great debt of three wars, "the Finish Parliament made the decision to choose public education as its best shot at economic recovery." Now 93 percent of their students graduating from high school, compared with our 75.5 percent.
Print
Email Story
