It takes a village ...

    We have all heard the phrase "It takes a village to raise a child."
    How true this is, especially when it comes to their education.
    When it comes to the children in Meridian and Lauderdale County we are all responsible for their education. If there is something wrong in our schools, we should all be raising our voices. And it seems to me there is definitely something wrong.
    According to the Mississippi Department of Education website, out of the 10 schools in Meridian, all but two were on academic watch or at risk of failing in 2010. To me this is unacceptable.
    Recently in a story about state testing at Meridian High School, it was stated that intervention specialists had been working with students and that five after-school teachers had been hired to tutor students in the four core areas that are on the tests. In order to graduate, students must pass all required Subject Area Tests in U.S. History from 1877, English II, Biology I and Algebra I.
    I don't understand why they need all this "extra help" just to pass this test. Is it too much to think these students — the future leaders of this community — should be smart enough to pass?
    I had to ask myself: Is it the teachers? Are they not doing their jobs adequately?
    Is it the students? Don't they care about their future?
    Or is it the parents? Are they doing everything possible to help their children be the best they can be?
    I don't think it's just one of the above, but all three.
    Teachers can't teach a child who doesn't want to learn. I'm sure it's very frustrating for teachers when students act like they don't care. I know all students are not like that, but the few that are can make it difficult for everyone.
    Parents need to be parents — not friends — to their children. They need to enforce rules. They need to not give up and say "I can't do anything with them." They need to spend time with them and give them the tools to want to learn.
    When my oldest daughter was little I tried to read to her every night. She is 23 now and still has a love for books. With my youngest, we make learning games out of everything. We count the peas on her plate and I ask her things like "What letter does milk start with?" I am not the perfect parent. I have made my share of mistakes, but I think I have learned from those mistakes.
    Children learn from example. If the parents or teachers act as if they don't care about anything, then why should the child. It is up to us, the adults, to be good role models for our children.
    Parents should be involved with the school and their children's activities. They should get to know the teachers. Teachers should love to teach. It should not be just a job. And they should make every effort to get to know the parents. It may take a little extra time out of our busy lives, but isn't our children's future worth it?
    Teachers only have our kids for about 7 hours a day. It is the parents responsibility to make sure the children spend the other 17 hours in a positive and productive way. It takes teachers and parents working together to raise a smart, well-rounded child and prepare them for the future.