Hope for the Future of Education - A Dignitary’s(?) Point of View

I had my dignitary pass in hand, the valet whisked my car away, I hobnobbed at the president's breakfast alongside the likes of Vicky Kennedy and Arne Duncan and walked on the red (yes red) carpet to special seating.  Can it be just over ten years since my own graduation at Lesley University when I received my M.Ed in the mail? How things have changed for this teacher!

"Teachers are the unsung heroes in America," US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan told graduates during his commencement address at Lesley University this morning. Seated with fellow alumni looking out at this group of newbies excited to be finishing their theory and eager to begin their practice I feel hopeful, hopeful that they will have the courage to face what lies in front of them.  Perhaps this will be the class unafraid of challenging policies and procedures that do not make good sense for children.   Perhaps this will be the class that finds their voice and uses it to promote all the goodness in teaching, the class that will transform teachers into heroes admired, respected and valued in America.  Congratulations to the class of 2010 ~ today you join a cadre of over three million professionals with the mission, passion and capability of changing the face of our nation. It may take years to see the impact you will have on your students but you will impact them ~ today you begin the noblest of professions - teaching our future!