A Tarnished Trophy; Progress
On November 5, earlier this month the governor extended congratulations to two teachers within our territory Shabre Providence and Diana Tyson as District Teachers of the Year and to Ms. Providence who has been selected as the State Teacher of the Year. I too would like to personally graduate both women on displaying exemplary excellence in a time where their professions are considered stagnant (if recognized appropriately at all). Their dedication towards their profession and the children that they help to progress should be used as an example for all, but it is not. We do still have teachers and professionals within educational institutions that aren’t worthy of their positions or titles, and because of such children are suffering. During the past week I’ve heard of two accounts, one through public news/resources and the other a first hand account, of which undermine the norms and values that most teachers/ educational professionals work so hard to uphold.
One of my readers expressed to me earlier this week a problem that they noticed with their daughter who is two years of age. They had recently enrolled her in a preschool program from a daycare facility closer to home and was beginning to notice some changes. Their daughter seems to be having a lot of loud outbursts of hostility where she would scream and yell ‘NO’ repeatedly while threatening to hit or pointing her finger. The parent first assumed that something may be taking place at school that shouldn’t, and upon her visit for an investigation, she realized that the teachers yell harshly at the students. Children are very impressionable, unfortunately I was familiar with the preschool and could affirm their beliefs with my own knowledge. It is actually a common practice to use only one ‘tone’ when parents are present regardless of which child it may be, for it is suspected that parents would assume that it is truly their nature and practice with the kids. In such a case one has one of two options, enroll with another program or request that teachers utilize a ‘different technique’ with regards to verbal discipline, neither of which is necessarily going to be a pleasant experience. It was my suggestion to bring it to their attention at the next PTA meeting or at the end of the quarter when the children's progressions are assessed with parents. While it may seem as though the matter is being ‘pushed aside’, in truth it is not, by making note of such practices it makes the argument stronger for the necessary points to be considered for the best interest of the students.
On Saturday, November 9, 2013, The Virgin Islands Daily News detailed an account of a 15 year old student on the island of St. Croix where he alleged that he was choked unconscious, by a school monitor, causing him to fall down several flights of stairs and sustain several injuries. Injuries reported includes a laceration to his face that required 17 stitches and a busted lip. This student was reportedly treated by EMT’s and regained consciousness, but as of then no VIDE official nor school officials followed up with the family of the minor who went to the emergency room for treatment and stayed at home the following day to recover from the injuries he sustained that Thursday. Such actions undermine all the hard work that teachers and educational officials alike strives to maintain and progress. With our schools lacking teachers, much needed equipment and repairs, and new programs such negative actions from one member tarnishes an already rusted trophy. As Virgin Islanders we need to strive for a better USVI for all and our children, for if not we will be looking to a future of uneducated aggressors that can only cause our stagnant community to decline at a much more rapid pace.
No comments:
Post a Comment