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innovation
I'll probably raise some hackles with the following, but I get tired of the type of bashing I see here and all too often elsewhere.
I think the argument the author makes takes precedence over teacher bashing, tax law, regulation and the rest of the straw dogs tossed out here. The fact is that if you look at corporate America, it is like much of the rest of America, addicted to quick returns. We are all looking for the pill that solves our problems instantly. Until companies start investing in the long term and we as stockholders start backing them instead of paying out oversized salaries to "cost-conscious" managment, things won't change.
Take education for example. If you want to see kids better educated, demand that education be the focus...not sports...not extra curriculars...and certainly not after school jobs. We require our teachers to do the work that families used to do and parents used to be responsible for doing. Back in August, ABC news reported:
According to a new survey, teachers spent an average of $448 of their own money on instructional materials and school supplies for the 1998-99 school year.
The survey conducted last summer by the National School Supply and Equipment Association a trade group representing the school supply industry found that teachers pay for 77 percent of the school supplies needed in their classrooms. The rest comes from the school, parent-teacher groups and other school funds."
In any other self respecting industry, the employee is taking pencils home, not buying them at Walmart and bringing them into work.
How many who complain about teachers have supported them in their efforts to teach and demanded the administrations back them up in rigor. How many have gone to school boards and administrators and demanded more rigor in the classroom and more support for teachers who try to do their best? Instead we pass "No Child Left Behind".
As for innovation in this country, I write for a magazine called Farm Show. We run no ads, sell no editorial space. Instead, we have 199,000 (at last count) subscribers who pay us to find interesting stories (some wacky) about new products and innovations by their fellow readers and neighbors. I am forever amazed at the creativity I am exposed to when interviewing sources. I am also forever heartened by the interest and dedication of our readers for the magazine's mission. (Gary: visit www.farmshow.com and submit your products. Our readers want to hear about them.)
I am equally heartened by all the small companies, some start-ups and others long-term who are making high quality products right here in the U.S. of A. BadBoy Mowers, Batesville, Ark. is a great example. They have expanded like crazy over the past 10-12 years from a garage shop to a large, highly automated facility, high quality products, terrific workforce and management that understands the importance of all three.
Innovative and creative companies (and individuals) are alive and well. So are good teachers. We as citizens need to notice and reward all the above with our support.
I think the argument the author makes takes precedence over teacher bashing, tax law, regulation and the rest of the straw dogs tossed out here. The fact is that if you look at corporate America, it is like much of the rest of America, addicted to quick returns. We are all looking for the pill that solves our problems instantly. Until companies start investing in the long term and we as stockholders start backing them instead of paying out oversized salaries to "cost-conscious" managment, things won't change.
Take education for example. If you want to see kids better educated, demand that education be the focus...not sports...not extra curriculars...and certainly not after school jobs. We require our teachers to do the work that families used to do and parents used to be responsible for doing. Back in August, ABC news reported:
According to a new survey, teachers spent an average of $448 of their own money on instructional materials and school supplies for the 1998-99 school year.
The survey conducted last summer by the National School Supply and Equipment Association a trade group representing the school supply industry found that teachers pay for 77 percent of the school supplies needed in their classrooms. The rest comes from the school, parent-teacher groups and other school funds."
In any other self respecting industry, the employee is taking pencils home, not buying them at Walmart and bringing them into work.
How many who complain about teachers have supported them in their efforts to teach and demanded the administrations back them up in rigor. How many have gone to school boards and administrators and demanded more rigor in the classroom and more support for teachers who try to do their best? Instead we pass "No Child Left Behind".
As for innovation in this country, I write for a magazine called Farm Show. We run no ads, sell no editorial space. Instead, we have 199,000 (at last count) subscribers who pay us to find interesting stories (some wacky) about new products and innovations by their fellow readers and neighbors. I am forever amazed at the creativity I am exposed to when interviewing sources. I am also forever heartened by the interest and dedication of our readers for the magazine's mission. (Gary: visit www.farmshow.com and submit your products. Our readers want to hear about them.)
I am equally heartened by all the small companies, some start-ups and others long-term who are making high quality products right here in the U.S. of A. BadBoy Mowers, Batesville, Ark. is a great example. They have expanded like crazy over the past 10-12 years from a garage shop to a large, highly automated facility, high quality products, terrific workforce and management that understands the importance of all three.
Innovative and creative companies (and individuals) are alive and well. So are good teachers. We as citizens need to notice and reward all the above with our support.
Edited by Farm Show Jim
Updated - 8th Nov