Education: a reason to celebrate
by Guest Contributor | November 27th, 2007Contributed by: Caitee Bloss
Web Project Assistant, Stein Communications
November 11 – 17 was American Education Week. Originally created in 1921 by the National Education Association (NEA), this annual event aims to celebrate public education and honor individuals who are making a difference in ensuring that every child receives a quality education. Weeklong events are intended to raise awareness, deepen the involvement of the community at a local level, and urge individuals to do their part in improving public schools. Each day of the week had a different theme, as outlined in the NEA schedule. This year’s theme was Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility.
Whether your university is public or private, there are several reasons to celebrate American Education Week. We encourage you to plan events throughout the year, in addition to the week itself.
Reach out to your alumni. Take advantage of any opportunity to recognize your graduates who have made a difference in public education — those who majored in education, went on to serve through Teach for America, and other alumni who are leaders in the community.
Educate future leaders. As an institution of higher education, your university is educating and preparing future classroom teachers. Consider hosting events on campus to explain the school’s approach to teaching and improving public schools. Prospective students will benefit from learning about the reality of the public school environment and what their roles might be.
Raise political awareness. The quest to provide every child with a quality education has no doubt sparked many political arguments. Endless possibilities exist for speakers (including your political science professors) and student groups to address this topic.
We encourage you to continue the spirit of American Education Week throughout the year and help raise awareness to improve the climate of both public and private education in the United States. For your convenience, the NEA provides several resources, including an online toolkit, background information, and a weeklong schedule.
