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It should come as no surprise to anyone who has spoken with me or read some of the other pieces that I have had the privilege of posting that education is something that I feel extremely passionate about. In fact, I would go so far as to say that education ranks right up there with my passion for writing, service to my country, and love for the Constitution of the United States and everything that it provides. Why exactly would education rank so high up there in things that I value? Simply put, education is the basic foundation for those other things that I have listed. Without a proper education, one is unable to utilize the written word. Without a proper education, one cannot properly serve in any branch of the military or law enforcement (contrary to popular belief). Lastly, and most importantly, without a proper education, one is unable to understand, abide by, and protect the Constitution of the United States; this fact seems ever more evident by the masses of ignorant young people and their radically unhinged and politically motivated leadership.
I previously wrote a piece that really maligned what has so far been my experience at a university. I could go on to elaborate even further about the shortfalls of the college education provided in this country, possibly for eternity, but I would rather take aim at a different aspect of our education system. As previously stated, young people show up ill-prepared for what they should be expected to do once they arrive at college. Why is this? Well, we can point fingers at government regulations (ie “No Child Left Behind”), or ‘teaching to tests’, or funding, and, in all honesty, any one of these could very well be accurately blamed for one negative aspect of our system or another. What about just the people teaching our kids?
We hear all the time about the professors at universities but it is very seldom that we look at the people at the elementary, middle, and high school levels – unless there happens to be a scandal involving sexual misconduct (which is an issue of a whole other kind) – but take a moment to think about these people.
I am going to speak in generalities. Young people these days have little to no discipline, no work ethic, believe that they should receive unearned benefits and or rewards, and seem to have the worst time regulating their emotions (so much so that “trigger warnings” have become common practice in many places). Who can the education system turn to in order to make drastic improvements to these circumstances? Why, the last time that I had an issue with any of these things was prior to my experience in basic training!
Noncommissioned officers, not just drill sergeants, are specially adapted to developing functional and well-adapted youth that are prepared to take on the difficulties associated with the real world. Day in and day out, NCOs across the military are constantly dealing with young men and women ranging in ages starting at 17; who is to say that these professionals could not adapt to perform the same miracles with young people only slightly younger? Counseling, personal and professional development, and teaching (training) are all tools that any NCO worth their salt has at their disposal. In addition, NCOs promote discipline in various ways, understand the need for proper levels of encouragement, and instill values into those under their charge. Are these not the exact qualities that we wish for our young people?
Everyone has heard the saying “those who cannot do teach”. The fact is that this has been the case for far too long. When you have a generation of people who cannot do anything, teaching kids who will in turn not be able to do anything, you end up with a large portion of a generation essentially crippled. We can see this right now. A generation of young adults looking for handouts, free stuff, and government assistance because they have been taught, for ages, by people who could barely do anything for themselves (or at least were so inept that they could do almost nothing of novel value). We have people going into disciplines like “gender studies” in which lies a future of absolutely nothing. Can anyone please tell me exactly what someone with a PhD in gender studies does for society besides teach other people who are going for a degree in that area? Of course you can’t because there is nothing. Perhaps work in some obscure fashion for the ACLU, maybe.
I believe that it is high time that people who can do, and can do many different things, teach those who we expect to do many different things. If we want young people to take up valuable professions, to be pushed towards doing things of value to themselves and society, they must first be provided with the structure that supports them to do so. Noncommissioned officers are often described as being the “backbone” of the military service (or at least in the Army they are). Could these professionals become the kind of “backbone” structure for the education system that we need? I believe so.
I previously wrote a piece that really maligned what has so far been my experience at a university. I could go on to elaborate even further about the shortfalls of the college education provided in this country, possibly for eternity, but I would rather take aim at a different aspect of our education system. As previously stated, young people show up ill-prepared for what they should be expected to do once they arrive at college. Why is this? Well, we can point fingers at government regulations (ie “No Child Left Behind”), or ‘teaching to tests’, or funding, and, in all honesty, any one of these could very well be accurately blamed for one negative aspect of our system or another. What about just the people teaching our kids?
We hear all the time about the professors at universities but it is very seldom that we look at the people at the elementary, middle, and high school levels – unless there happens to be a scandal involving sexual misconduct (which is an issue of a whole other kind) – but take a moment to think about these people.
I am going to speak in generalities. Young people these days have little to no discipline, no work ethic, believe that they should receive unearned benefits and or rewards, and seem to have the worst time regulating their emotions (so much so that “trigger warnings” have become common practice in many places). Who can the education system turn to in order to make drastic improvements to these circumstances? Why, the last time that I had an issue with any of these things was prior to my experience in basic training!
Noncommissioned officers, not just drill sergeants, are specially adapted to developing functional and well-adapted youth that are prepared to take on the difficulties associated with the real world. Day in and day out, NCOs across the military are constantly dealing with young men and women ranging in ages starting at 17; who is to say that these professionals could not adapt to perform the same miracles with young people only slightly younger? Counseling, personal and professional development, and teaching (training) are all tools that any NCO worth their salt has at their disposal. In addition, NCOs promote discipline in various ways, understand the need for proper levels of encouragement, and instill values into those under their charge. Are these not the exact qualities that we wish for our young people?
Everyone has heard the saying “those who cannot do teach”. The fact is that this has been the case for far too long. When you have a generation of people who cannot do anything, teaching kids who will in turn not be able to do anything, you end up with a large portion of a generation essentially crippled. We can see this right now. A generation of young adults looking for handouts, free stuff, and government assistance because they have been taught, for ages, by people who could barely do anything for themselves (or at least were so inept that they could do almost nothing of novel value). We have people going into disciplines like “gender studies” in which lies a future of absolutely nothing. Can anyone please tell me exactly what someone with a PhD in gender studies does for society besides teach other people who are going for a degree in that area? Of course you can’t because there is nothing. Perhaps work in some obscure fashion for the ACLU, maybe.
I believe that it is high time that people who can do, and can do many different things, teach those who we expect to do many different things. If we want young people to take up valuable professions, to be pushed towards doing things of value to themselves and society, they must first be provided with the structure that supports them to do so. Noncommissioned officers are often described as being the “backbone” of the military service (or at least in the Army they are). Could these professionals become the kind of “backbone” structure for the education system that we need? I believe so.
Teacher
Teaching
NCO Academy
Primary Education
Leadership
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 69
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When I became an Instructor, one of the first things I was taught was the difference between "teaching" and "Instructing". And there is a big difference. If anyone believes they are going to change the world through teaching, first you should think about who actually needs the teaching. How many people believe a first grader can't live without a smartphone? That would probably be a very good place to begin your teaching. Be prepared for just a little bit of backlash about that, though. I have worked alongside other NCOs and you already knew this but I am going to say it again--Not everyone is a good teacher or instructor. My family tree has a lot of teachers and instructors in it and I am grateful to have had good teachers and good instructors. Maybe the question should be:
does being an NCO make for a solid base to build upon to become a teacher/instructor.
does being an NCO make for a solid base to build upon to become a teacher/instructor.
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I made it a point to stay in one place while my three youngest went thru the local school system(I'd already retired from Navy). Many times they ended up with the same teachers as they passed thru the grade levels(They got to know me real well!) Parent/teacher conferences got to be interesting. Teachers would comment about how well they wrote and spelled and did math. They would get the "OH my God" look on their faces after I stated I made them learn to spell, write coherent sentences, and do math correctly. "We don't worry about spelling or grammar and we want them to learn the 'New Math' way." I told them I do and that my kids are going to school to get an education not a participation award(that didn't go over well, either!). When they argued with me about it I just told them, "My kids, my house, my rules". Found some good teachers along the way who weren't allowed to be the good teachers they could have been.
Told my kids from the beginning, "Your job is to learn, get good grades and contribute to the school experience. My job is to take care of the rest." Did not want my kids to miss out on any opportunities.
Told my kids from the beginning, "Your job is to learn, get good grades and contribute to the school experience. My job is to take care of the rest." Did not want my kids to miss out on any opportunities.
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lol you sound like a very frustrated individual and I would Professionally suggest that you seek professional counseling for your deep seeded issues. It stems further than just a comment regarding education. You either seem to be particularly speaking of someone whom intimidates you, or a person of which you have ill feelings for. Maybe you simply have resentment towards your own public education. Either way seeking the professionals would be best.
Just my opinion, as a Professional Counselor and Teacher.
PS. I would be more than happy to provide some colleagues names and numbers for you in your area.
Just my opinion, as a Professional Counselor and Teacher.
PS. I would be more than happy to provide some colleagues names and numbers for you in your area.
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SGT Joseph Gunderson
You obviously have chosen some strange convoluted fashion in which to read this piece. My public school education was rather good - I went to one of the best public high schools in my state - and I enjoyed it, possibly more than most. I am simply pointing out the benefits of bringing more veterans, particularly NCOs, into the education system.
I do, however, find it incredibly entertaining that you, a civilian teacher (as you made it a point to state), has chosen to attack me personally over what amounts to an opinion that you could not possibly have any idea about because you have no experience with the military. Simply jumping to insulting my mental health to defend your crumbling institution.
The first step in solving a problem is to identify that there is one, I believe that there are issues with American education and the studies PROVE that we are falling behind. That isn't enough though; one must also provide possible solutions to the issue or else it goes from being problem solving to simple bitching (and moaning).
How about you say something productive. Perhaps you are better suited for politics, where mudslinging in defense of yourself and your group is common place, instead of being an educator because you have just demonstrated that you are unable to think critically and express something of intellectual value when faced with a differing opinion.
I award you no points and my God have mercy on your soul.
I do, however, find it incredibly entertaining that you, a civilian teacher (as you made it a point to state), has chosen to attack me personally over what amounts to an opinion that you could not possibly have any idea about because you have no experience with the military. Simply jumping to insulting my mental health to defend your crumbling institution.
The first step in solving a problem is to identify that there is one, I believe that there are issues with American education and the studies PROVE that we are falling behind. That isn't enough though; one must also provide possible solutions to the issue or else it goes from being problem solving to simple bitching (and moaning).
How about you say something productive. Perhaps you are better suited for politics, where mudslinging in defense of yourself and your group is common place, instead of being an educator because you have just demonstrated that you are unable to think critically and express something of intellectual value when faced with a differing opinion.
I award you no points and my God have mercy on your soul.
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I couldn't agree more with your article SGT. I'm still just a lowly pv2 in the Oklahoma National Guard but the NCO's over me have taught me more than I could ever imagine.
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Suspended Profile
It is up to the parents to change their own expectations of what they want their child's school to accomplish with their child. Schools are under an incredibly unrealistic pressure to graduate all students regardless of ability; to produce an unrealistic rate of college acceptance showing that 95% of their students do go on to college. Parents complain excessively that their child is not being treated fairly, that their child's grade is not fair and so on. What teachers and schools can do has become limited. Each elementary class of about 20-30 kids has at least 5 individual education plans(IEPs). Work in the classroom is rarely done independently.
Everything is so over regulated. The result is less tools for teachers to use to mold students into productive citizens. You're asking them to be the backbone of things that are largely out of their control. Passion and professionalism of teachers can only go so far under conditions where they are not in charge. Parents must change their belief system.
You can't expect teachers to be the backbone of the education system when the pay for teachers is low, budgets are underfunded and parents mistrust and just don't support teachers and the school's disciplinary policies. Schools are graduating kids regardless of merit and test result or behavior. Teachers have very little control over any of this.
As an institution, the military is still the most trusted. Not schools. So comparing schools to military is not effective.
Having fond memories of the rightness of you own education back in the day is not productive to changing a parent's current view of today's school system. Today's parents are people who grew up with technology -are comfortable with technology in every aspect of their life, the are now parents of grade school age students. Today's high school students have known technology all their life. Technology in the classroom("smart boards," chrome books, and using cell phones to do game like test reviews) has changed -not only how subjects are taught - it has completely changed student behavior as well. You can't look back to the good old euphoric days as a way to improve education. Today's parent has to make a conscious decision to support and prioritize teachers.
Those are my thoughts.
Everything is so over regulated. The result is less tools for teachers to use to mold students into productive citizens. You're asking them to be the backbone of things that are largely out of their control. Passion and professionalism of teachers can only go so far under conditions where they are not in charge. Parents must change their belief system.
You can't expect teachers to be the backbone of the education system when the pay for teachers is low, budgets are underfunded and parents mistrust and just don't support teachers and the school's disciplinary policies. Schools are graduating kids regardless of merit and test result or behavior. Teachers have very little control over any of this.
As an institution, the military is still the most trusted. Not schools. So comparing schools to military is not effective.
Having fond memories of the rightness of you own education back in the day is not productive to changing a parent's current view of today's school system. Today's parents are people who grew up with technology -are comfortable with technology in every aspect of their life, the are now parents of grade school age students. Today's high school students have known technology all their life. Technology in the classroom("smart boards," chrome books, and using cell phones to do game like test reviews) has changed -not only how subjects are taught - it has completely changed student behavior as well. You can't look back to the good old euphoric days as a way to improve education. Today's parent has to make a conscious decision to support and prioritize teachers.
Those are my thoughts.
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Uh what? What does Sergeant Steiner say to the FNG in "Cross of Iron"? "Keep yours eye on me and this foul smelling one here or you'll be wearing boots up your ass for a long time."
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