Become an agent of change for Federal Way schools | Letters
Published 5:06 pm Thursday, September 6, 2012
I think we can all agree that this past year has marked some drastic changes in our school district and a strong mix of emotions toward said changes — many being negative.
I don’t want to get hung up on what is happening at the school level. Change takes time and it may be a while before we see the wisdom and benefits.
Instead, I would like to focus on how the citizens of Federal Way can make changes of their own.
If the community is unsatisfied with the education students are receiving, maybe it is time for us to support them outside of the classroom.
It is easy to talk about the “basics” we want students to know: skills we expect them to possess. We can take the responsibility for that transfer of skills.
How hard would it be to approach a school about offering to lead an after-school course in life skills such as personal finances, “shopping math,” or business appropriate writing?
We, as a community, are a wealth of knowledge that can be poured into our students. Our hard-working teachers are expected to do a lot and it should be our privilege to support them. Let’s look at the opportunity before us to help shape the character and ability of the young people in our great city. After all, they are our future and they deserve nothing less.
Another way we can make positive change is to be a visible presence. When students see that they are worth our time and energy, it has the ability to instill a motivation and a sense of worth that flavor how students approach their studies.
By volunteering in our classrooms, being active in our school PTA groups and attending school events, we can show our students that they are valued and supported and that we want to see them succeed.
Consider the small cost of your time as an investment in what truly matters, an investment whose returns we will all see the dividends of.
Please, don’t stop trying to influence the system to best benefit our students, but remember, there are other areas where you can be a change-agent.
Step into a classroom, mentor a student, become involved. The pride you show in our schools by your actions will reflect out and be evident to all who marvel at the success of our schools, students and teachers.
I believe in Federal Way — its school district and citizens. Let us, as Gandhi said, be the change we want to see in the world.
Amy Longenecker, Federal Way
