IU School of Education is more than you think

I was taken aback when I read an opinion column published Jan. 6 that attempted to discredit the School of Education.

I am currently a junior in the elementary education program and take all of my classes through that department. 

While I fully understand that this was an opinion column, there is a difference between expressing an opinion and unfairly disregarding the intelligence of an entire population of students and faculty.

It is disappointing and unfortunate to learn that your columnist had a negative experience during his School of Education courses, but to state that the peers in his classroom were “uninspired, uneducated and worthless in classroom discussion” is not a fair representation of the School of Education as a whole. 

Making a blanket statement such as this cannot be regarded as a factual representation of reality, because in my time in the School of Education, I have been fortunate to be inspired by peers who are some of the most hard-working, intelligent and well spoken people I’ve met at IU.

The columnist also spoke of how a “bad teacher has a profound impact.” I agree, but the converse is also true. 

Does a good teacher not also have a profound impact?  Throughout our years in school, we remember the very worst of our teachers but also the very best.

I have an aunt who is an elementary school principal. She has personally gone into her school to clean when budget cuts forced some of the janitorial staff to be let go and stays actively involved in her students’ lives to ensure they are achieving the best level of education possible. 

I agree that it takes amazing drive to make it through the School of Education, but that is because the professors are preparing us for the astounding tenacity it takes to have a successful teaching career. 

There are obstacles ranging from budget cuts to lack of parental involvement to profound social issues.

Clearly, our education system isn’t perfect and needs work. Who is going to make those changes? We are.

The fact that students in the School of Education will one day be the teachers of our future children warrants, in my humble education major opinion, an element of respect and support. 

As someone who strives to be well versed in political and newsworthy stories, I support the profession of journalism. 

I hope that such respect of my chosen profession can one day be returned.

­— Katie Roberts
Elementary Education