A key concept taught in schools across the country is freedom. Men and women have fought and died to protect it and it is what our nation was founded upon.
We teach the importance of freedom to our children, but right now in Cherokee County we seem to be sending the message that freedom doesn’t apply when it comes to school choice.
The example set by of some of our communities’ educators, public school officials and politicians is “freedom is important … unless it’s educational freedom.”
I have great admiration for all educators whose mission it is to giving each student the opportunity to garner a high quality education, it is what I have dedicated my life to doing. No one should ever look with ‘disdain’ toward any caring, hardworking teacher whether that teacher works at a district, charter or private school.
My four children have all graduated with a wonderful education in Cherokee County schools; I taught for eight years in CCSD; I am now a Cherokee Charter Academy teacher. We, the teaching community must rise above this political rhetoric and recognize we all want the same thing, what’s best for our students.
Several states enjoy an educational collaborative effort offering charter, public, private, home, online and religious opportunities which coexist and enrich their communities with the diversity and quality education that are needed to compete in today’s global economy.
Over the last decade Cherokee County has seen major change, it has made us a stronger, more desirable place to raise our families. I challenge those on both sides of the charter school debate … instead of being ‘angry teachers’, be excellent educators whose goal is to provide a strong curriculum for your students every day.
Let’s work together as a community now to strengthen our educational ties and create an even stronger generation for the future and teach freedom by example not just with words.
Judith Johnston
Canton
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