Your legislative section of Feb. 17 ran an article headlined, "Training to be offered for teaching of values."
Some personal questions seem appropriate: If values are not stressed enough, when and why did the teaching stop? Which values are not taught?Is someone concerned that helping students to learn that copying is cheating is not trying to teach honesty?
Is integrity not being taught when students are encouraged to exhibit common courtesy, to complete tasks on time, to be on time, to not disturb others?
The teaching of values in the schools has not stopped. It has been made much more difficult, however, by governmental attempts to legislate human emotions. Teachers cannot teach to their potential because there are too many restrictions imposed by government. And there are simply too many homes that abet petty complaints from students without thorough investigation. In addition, there are too many people, generally, who are so caught up in attending to the letter of the law that the intent of the law is lost.
Host teachers do not need more training. Nor do they need more laws to direct them. They do need more direct support and help from administrators and supervisors, instead of frequent interruptions, most of which are unnecessary. Supervisors should know exactly what is being covered in every classroom in his or her jurisdiction and how it is being done. As I substitute at all levels, I see little evidence that such is the case.
Yes, teachers are teaching the values students need to help them function better as members of the human race.
Zelda L. Anderson
President, Alpine Retired School Employees Association