Letters

NEA Today, May 2001

HEAVEN IN KENTUCKY?

Brenda Matthews (Letters, April) shared her need for a full-time aide in her K-1 class and indicated that "in Kentucky, all kindergartens have full-time aides-this must be heaven!" Sorry Brenda, but it is not heaven because we do not all have full-time aides.

Some counties provide full-time aides. I guess they can see their importance for early learners. I commend these counties. As for the others, I wish they would spend the day in our rooms of four-, five-, and six-year-olds (sometimes seven-)!

Susan Dowell

Versailles, Kentucky

I do indeed feel fortunate to have a full-time aide with me in my kindergarten class. I understand the overwhelming task that Brenda Matthews described.

While a full-time aide helps the teacher tremendously, she helps my students even more. That is the issue, isn't it? For many children, this first experience in school is a very big step. Kindergarten children have so many needs-physically, emotionally, socially, and academically. It is unsafe and educationally unsound to expect one teacher to carry this responsibility.

Emily Porter

Georgetown, Kentucky

I am a teacher's aide in Florida. We do not have teacher's aides in our K-1 classrooms, except for special education students.

We do have a lot of parents who volunteer their time. Most aren't working and just love being with their children and their children's friends in school a few hours a day. I should know. I volunteered for a few years. Then someone suggested I apply for a full-time job.

I suggest that Ms. Matthews just ask, "Anyone care to help me?"

I bet she will be surprised!

Karen O'Connell

Port Saint Lucie, Florida

LOW PAY, HIGH SCORES Question: Which are some of the most educationally successful states?

Answer: Poor, rural states that pay their teachers dismally.

Why on earth would policymakers in Iowa, North Dakota (News, April), or Maine want to put more dollars into education when they are reaping fine rewards under the status quo?

If you were a legislator in a state where kids achieve great test scores and college placements, how could you justify paying your classroom teachers more? Would an increase in salary truly benefit the kids?

This is the reality, and it probably will not change soon in poorer rural states, which are, by the way, some of the greatest places to live and raise your kids, despite some faults.

Young people who are strongly drawn toward teaching as a profession must be informed honestly about such conditions, and if they choose to work in these places, simply accept what they can get.

Peter J. Lucas

Lincoln, Maine

T-SHIRT MESSAGES

I strongly agree with school uniforms and dress codes that teach students the importance of dressing appropriately for school, but I am concerned about the banning of certain people or images and not others (Rights Watch, April).

The Marilyn Manson T-shirt that depicted the three Jesuses with the words "See No Truth, Hear No Truth, Speak No Truth" and the word "Believe" on the back with the word "lie" highlighted may be unsuitable for school. However, some of us find T-shirts that say "What Would Jesus Do?" and other Christian-centered propaganda equally offensive.

If we are going to target so-called "bad influences" for their messages, we should ban all messages to ensure that public schools really are public!

Nicole Andrews

Sacramento, California

VEGETARIANISM IN SCHOOL As a vegan educator, I appreciate "Beyond Broccoli: Vegetarianism in School" (Health and Fitness, April). I know how difficult it is for vegetarian students to get healthy and appetizing options at school. Vegetarians and vegans enjoy a large variety of dishes beyond the boring tomato and lettuce salads served at lunch time.

It is important to teach school-- children about these healthy, proenvironment, and humane choices in order to provide an alternative to their common fat-based diet promoted by fast-food corporations.

We live in a country where heart conditions (closely related to meat consumption) have become the number one killers.

The waste of natural resources to favor cattle raising should also be brought to students' attention.

Finally, the inhumane treatment of animals in the meat production business, should be considered as a topic in health, philosophy, economics, and social studies classes.

Some fellow teachers have told me such issues do not belong in public schools. I strongly disagree.

To make students aware of the connection between their food choices and their sense of compassion and empathy, we do not need to shock them with gory pictures or videos. We only need to provide factual information.

Maru Vigo

Tucson, Arizona

ESTATE TAX

In the April "Bottom Line" item on the estate tax, the facts you presented are wrong. First of all, the estate tax hits small businesses, especially family farms, the hardest.

Taxes have already been paid by the businesses many times over. Why does the government think it is all right to do it one more time? Many small and family-run businesses have been forced to close due to these confiscatory taxes.