Students should be taught values of life

Every time I leave a school board meeting, I am in shock and disbelief at some of the things I hear.

Not because of the school board or administrators, but because of the things they must undergo to keep their schools running at their maximum potential.

The state expects more and more, but offers less and less.

Elementary, junior high and high school (for most people) is a time for us to find ourselves and learn things about the world we may not have otherwise known.

I had some fantastic teachers as I made my way through Linton-Stockton School Corporation. They helped shape who I am personally and intellectually.

I had so many teachers that helped me reach that "Aha!" moment when I thought I would never understand the mixture of numbers and phrases put in front of me.

Yet, as I sit through school board meetings there is talk of potentially having to let teachers go. The worst part is seeing the superintendent's face as he talks about the depleting budget and possible loss of his faculty.

It seems as though the state has lost sight of what is important in a child's life. Yes, it is important to have effective teachers, but it is also important to teach the children values.

As much as I hate to admit it, some of these children will not be taught the values of life at home.

As a new RISE Pilot is being introduced at Bloomfield School District, it becomes apparent that teachers are forced to "teach to the test."

The almighty test, of course, refers to the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress (ISTEP) exam.

I remember the ISTEP well. I am fairly certain it even gave me nightmares as a child. I was always decent at English and math, but when you set me down for long periods of time with a bubble answer sheet, I may as well have never learned anything.

Thinking back on the exams I took, I was always so disappointed with myself for not reaching that "Above Average" score, especially when I had an "A" grade in that particular subject.

It wasn't that I didn't know it. The problem was I was terrible at thinking under extreme pressure. This exam alone could determine my academic standing, and that is terrifying for any child.

The worst moments are when you know you are being timed. It's as though you can hear the seconds tick past as you struggle to remember something you would have otherwise known.

I learned a lot at LSSC, ranging from educational growth to personal growth. I learned about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, the importance of friendship and why I should be a good person.

I hope the Department of Education takes into consideration -- during its annual cut backs -- why attending school is important.

These children are our future. They are the ones who will one day lead our cities, towns or country. School needs to be a place where children feel safe, and are taught the values of life, along with the importance of education.

Sabrina is a staff writer for the Greene County Daily World. She can be reached by email at swestfall@gcdailyworld.com or by telephone at 847-4487.