It is clear that James Ault struggles with fully understanding the goals and processes of public education, and has biases toward its implementation (“Offer a look at classrooms,” Our Readers’ Views, July 14). His claim that public schools struggle with teaching basic information and promote “ideological slants, inappropriate sex education, and distorted theory” reveal two things: He has no real concept of what happens in classrooms, and anything contrary to his own beliefs should not be discussed. His call for cameras in classrooms could be answered by this question: Should we allow cameras in operating rooms, accountants’ offices or group therapy sessions?
Teachers are well-educated professionals who deserve our respect — something lacking in the U.S. compared to other nations. Classrooms are places in which both trust and care must be present in order for learning to occur. Teachers, on a daily basis, deal with emotional hardships, social tensions, hunger and other basic needs, all while leading children through an educational journey.
While learning basic information is included, U.S. societal and business leaders are more desiring of critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as understanding of big ideas. And because of their enormous professional capacities, this is what teachers deliver on a daily basis, despite the difficulties of their work environment.