I talk about education a lot. It has been my life’s work for over forty years. If I had to do it over again, I would still choose education. It makes a difference in people’s lives and our society.
Following an in-depth conversation with a reporter about education, I expressed that public education has become a target of society's problems and, frankly, has been taking a brutal hit in recent years. Until we view education as part of the solution, it will continue to be seen as a problem rather than respected as it deserves. It is a politician's favorite piñata.
Let’s be honest: education receives more blame than any other issue. We attribute everything—from inequality to our economic challenges—to schools. Then we blame teachers. However, the crucial point is that education is a powerful tool that is often underutilized and misunderstood. And if we listened to teachers, we could start to fix the broken system.
We tend to “educationalize” our complex issues. We burden schools with everything from poverty to cultural shifts, expecting them to fix what is broken. It’s like handing a squirrel a toolbox and expecting it to build a house. Without proper support—such as adequate funding, solid policies, and engaged parents — education ends up bearing the weight of problems it cannot solve alone. It’s akin to blaming the fire department when your house burns down because you forgot to call them.
Now, if we can change our perspective and treat education as a vital part of the solution—by investing wisely, integrating technology for personalized learning, and creating vocational pathways—we can truly empower individuals and make significant progress. It is not a magic bullet; it won’t turn your child into a rocket scientist overnight. However, ignoring its potential keeps it stuck in the “problem” category, much like a forgotten Christmas fruitcake.
Life is filled with opportunities, cleverly disguised as obstacles. Obstacles are just waiting to be conquered.
Speaking of obstacles, let’s address teachers. Bill Gates believes that artificial intelligence could replace teachers and doctors. Seriously? Education involves much more than simply regurgitating facts; it is a profound human experience. Teachers provide emotional support and personalized attention that a computer cannot. That human connection is vital for trust and growth.
Some parents express outrage that schools are “struggling with behavior.” But let’s be honest here. If your child has never been told “no,” never faced a consequence that mattered, and never had to follow rules they didn’t like, why would they suddenly respect authority in a classroom?
Teachers aren’t babysitters; they are there to educate. They shouldn’t have to spend their days managing tantrums and chaos just because someone at home thinks structure is “too harsh.” Maybe, as a Marine Corps veteran, I am too hardened, but I believe discipline matters.
A classroom isn’t a living room. Twenty-plus children cannot revolve around one child’s whims. When behavior goes unchecked, every student loses precious learning time.
This isn’t about labeling kids; it’s about accountability. If your child has behavioral issues, that is not a failure—ignoring them is. Schools can provide support, and teachers can offer guidance, but parenting doesn’t stop at the school door. I do not just advocate for parent involvement; I want parent engagement. I want parents deeply involved in their child’s education.
When parents refuse to uphold standards, teachers are left carrying a burden that isn’t theirs to bear. That’s why classrooms are breaking down. Parents cannot opt out of parenting and then blame teachers when things go wrong. Vouchers won’t fix that.
If you are a teacher reading this, remember that courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes it’s just the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, “I’ll try again tomorrow.”
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JC Bowman is the executive director of Professional Educators of Tennessee.