EDUCATION CORNER: TEACHER FEATURE OF THE WEEK
A Former Educator
(Mitchell Byrd is a former educator with the Marshall County Board of Education. He believes that experienced, college educated teachers should determine the direction of the student’s education with the help of the parent.)
I came to education as a second career, having served my country during the Vietnam era in the U.S. Air Force, later working on the space shuttle at NASA, and finally, working in the utility business in my early life. My wife, Sheila, a college educator herself, helped guide me when she pointed out that my sometimes forceful personality might be better served in elementary rather than secondary education because she recognized my soft heart towards the little ones. I accepted that logic and never looked back.
As with all teachers, I am able to convey tales of shared happiness and heartbreak with students of all ages, but I have been asked to convey my complete career perspective.
I began teaching in the special education department of Marshall County High School, after which I was rehired in sixth grade at Marshall County Middle School. Except for a short time at both Oak Grove and the Central Office, I was always challenged by the sixth grade students. I was supported by my administration, Mrs. Sherry Park and Mrs. Rachael Perryman, both of whom offered guidance to my classroom perspective and curriculum from differing points of view. My peer instructors with whom I worked closely, the instructors from other grade levels, the support staff from all departments, which make a school function, all shared thoughts and ideas with me for promoting student success. Not least were the students, who pushed me when I needed pushing, or lifted my spirits to new heights upon the death of my parents. Parental support for me always existed. Mostly mothers, but sometimes fathers, were in the shadows of my classroom ready to provide the Valentine, Christmas, or occasional birthday highlighted activity to chase away the clouds of math, science, or history. Parents always want the best for their children, and it is the teacher’s job to explain to them the avenue through which progress can be accomplished. I always strived to guide parents and students to understand a specific goal, but I must admit that I sometimes failed.
When I began teaching, I realized that being able to read should be the primary goal of each student. Reading and comprehension are necessary in all educational subjects as well as in all aspects of our lives. Students’ ability to read will allow them to travel the world. Lack of reading/comprehension ability will restrict them to the street on which they live. Reading comes in many languages such as Spanish, German, Russian or English, but students must also be able to read and comprehend other languages such as the languages of mathematics or music, of which the latter are universal languages. Reading connects us with joy or grief. It presents us problems, or puts money in our bank accounts. Reading keeps us safe through instruction. It allows us to exchange ideas to help our families and improve our existence. I always worked to improve the reading ability of my students.
When I began teaching, students were provided time to read freely or read aloud. As my career progressed, time to practice reading gave way to No Child Left Behind and its testing requirements to provide a method of monitoring a school’s ability to educate. Experienced, college educated teachers should determine the direction of the student’s education with the help of the parent. Classroom time for reading in art or music as well as English and mathematics should guide every educational premise.
