I wrote about it and It was published!!!

Who is Going to Teach Nevada’s Children?
Will Nevada run the risk of denying students a quality education?



At what point will it become clear to state legislators that education is the key to this economy? My children are already left behind and will continue down this path if the government does not wake up and put the same emphasis on education as they do on tourism, which is referred to as the spirit of Nevada.

New to the Nevada area and with two children, I am forced to ask the question of “Who’s going to teach the true spirit? Do I now reside in a state where education is considered somehow inferior to tourism? Why is tourism and ways to attract tourists a high priority?

On Saturday, March 6, approximately 42 students showed up for a four- hour long reading and writing Boot Camp Proficiency tutoring sessions at Las Vegas High School. Boot Camp Proficiency is a necessity that students will probably lose if Nevada decides that programs like this are not needed. Where is the rainy day fund for education?

“Because of the economy students are leaving the private schools and now the public schools are becoming overcrowded,” said Stacey Watson, Educator and Tutor. “Because they are used to being high achievers, their parents may not be able to find money to pay for tuition but they will find the money for tutoring.” How many students will be forced to find a tutor after the budget cuts and not because they need the extra help but for a simple education?

With budget cuts comes a hit to teachers and students morale. Education should be viewed as a mechanism to exemplify the abilities, the spirit and qualities of both the teacher and the student, but if the state makes cuts in education then what other platform will students have to exemplify their abilities and their spirit?

Jill Leone has been teaching for more than 20 years and it does not stop there. She is a tutor; and she supports Las Vegas High School as a School Improvement and Northwest Accreditation team member and New Teacher Mentor. If this type of dedication to education is cut, again I ask the question “who’s going to teach”?

Leone is preparing the students at LVHS to pass the writing proficiency exam, an exam that is a degree requirement. She engages the students by asking questions in both English and Spanish for those students that may not understand it in English. She refers to the students as ladies and gentlemen and uses powerful and encouraging word diction as she speaks.

What are some of the reasons the students do not pass the proficiency exam? Leone said “Because they are second language learners.” Who’s going to teach? It is evident that Leone is comfortable with teaching and has a love for her students. Can you imagine her in any other profession?

Is it clear to state officials that in order for the gaming and hotel industry to attract quality employees they need to be educated, but what happens when cuts and or funding to education happen and we lose the teachers like Leone or tutors like Watson? Who’s left to educate those students to fill the open job positions in this industry?

Do Nevada state officials care if they do not produce responsible and productive citizens? What are my options as a parent if dedicated teachers and or our educational programs are cut? As parents and educators we need to fight for the spirit of our children. There needs to be more than 600 people who come out to these town hall meetings or special session hearings, power is in numbers but 600 people will never be heard at it is not even one percent of the population that resides in Nevada.

As parents and guardians we owe it to our children to complete the Clark County School District Parent Survey for more information on this issue please go to: www.ccsd.net/parentsurvey/ let us make our voices heard.



-Melva Valentine

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 5th, 2010 at 1:46 pm.
Categories: News.