Learning isn’t fun and games

Through 20 years of teaching, I’ve witnessed the ever-changing phrases and buzzwords that “educrats,” with little classroom experience, think will revolutionize learning and test scores. Without addressing the real issue, these incompetents continue with the mantra that teachers are the problem. Their lessons “lack rigor and engagement” are what teachers hear again and again.

The real problem in education is that we are finally seeing the result of widespread dysfunctional parenting. Many parents fail to teach responsibility, respect and accountability. These parents provide little discipline, instead choosing to be playmates.

Studies show poor children grow up hearing 30 million fewer words than affluent children by age 4, thus their vocabulary and reading comprehension is far below grade level. They spend nine plus hours a day in front of a screen, much of that on “antisocial media,” and when they get into classrooms, they want entertainment!

It’s now the teachers’ fault these kids can’t sit still and concentrate.

I’ve got news for these moronic educrats. Learning and becoming educated is not always fun and games. I would really enjoy watching one come into my classroom to teach and “pair-share” a period after lunch using all their latest and greatest pedagogical theory.

This story was originally published November 23, 2015 at 8:00 AM with the headline "Learning isn’t fun and games."