Communication
Most of these meetings could easily be replaced by an email, especially if all they cover is the schedule for non-instructional days and the monthly fees for after-school activities. Everyday communication, however, could definitely step into the 21st century. While some teachers do a great job using online platforms to keep parents updated on important, urgent events, it still happens that a parent gets told at drop-off that they need to pick up their child early because the sandbox will be disinfected that afternoon. (Based on real events.)
Of course, in the spirit of fairness, I have to add that some parents could also use a communication refresher—like learning basic rules such as not contacting teachers on social media unless explicitly allowed. And definitely not at 11 p.m. on a Saturday. Or on Christmas Day. Just saying.
Arts Education
Everything changed when we got an art teacher who taught me that drawing is something you can actually LEARN. Sure, I probably wouldn’t have become the next Monet even if I’d met the concept of perspective at age 7, but maybe I could have moved beyond the flat, two-dimensional style you see in Egyptian pyramid murals. We’ll never know.
What I do know is that this teacher also taught art history alongside technique, which enriched my general knowledge and finally made art classes feel worthwhile. I believe artistic self-expression is important for kids, especially teens, but I also think it can be done better than leaving kids alone with a substitute teacher for 45 minutes under the guise of art class.
Physical Education
I belong to the generation that had gym only twice a week, but even so, it says a lot that in Hungary, people theoretically exercised at least twice a week for 12 years, yet most left school never voluntarily exercising again.
I truly believe that if gym class focused on the joy of movement—helping every child find a sport they can succeed in or at least enjoy—then over 12 years, exercise could become a lifelong habit. That would be one of the greatest gifts public education could give us.
Photos: istockphoto.com
