The Value of Public Schools
As Director of the South Missis - sippi Writing Project at the Uni - versity of Southern Mississippi, I visit public schools two to four days a week, working alongside teachers to improve students’ lit - eracy skills. Last week, as I pulled into the parking lot of a small ru - ral school, I realized I have spent most of my life in public school classrooms. I attended Lake High School for 12 years, USM for 4 years, taught in Forrest and Smith County for 20 years, and have been at USM as Director of the Writing Project and The World Class Teaching Program for 17 years. This means I’ve spent 53 of my 59 years in public schools. The old adage “If you want to know what someone values, look at how they spend their time” is certainly true of me. I value pub - lic schools. Growing up, I took my public school for granted: the selfless teachers, the laughter of friends on the playground, the music programs, the sports events, the high quality education, the sum - mer programs. As I’ve matured, however, I’ve come to appreci - ate the profound role that public schools play not just in individual lives, but in the very fabric of our communities.
Public schools often serve as com - munity centers, offering resources and support to families that extend beyond the classroom. Whether it’s after-school programs, meals for children in need, or health screen - ings, public schools are addressing the needs of families in a holistic manner. I’ve seen firsthand how schools can become safe havens, places where kids can thrive aca - demically and emotionally. They’re more than just buildings; they’re places where futures are forged. Supporting and investing in public education should be a priority for all community members. By doing so, we invest in the future—one where every child has the opportunity to succeed, and communities can thrive together. Looking back on my 53 years in public schools, I am grateful for the foundation that public schools laid for me as a student, nurturing my curiosity and preparing me for the complexities of the world beyond their walls. I am grateful for all I see them doing for the students within their walls today. I am grateful for their role as hubs of rural com - munities. And yet, until recently, I continued to take them for granted, assuming they’d always be there helping students thrive and flourish. More and more, the lack of support and the rise of privatization create a
Robin Atwood MPE Board of Directors
sense of instability, leaving many of us to wonder what the state of public schools will be a decade from now. I have no plans to retire any time soon, and I will continue to spend lots of time working in public school classrooms. I’ll also engage as many people as I can in conversations about the value of public schools. As long as there are voices willing to speak up, there is hope. I value public schools and deeply believe that we must all support them. That is a belief worth holding on to, and it is worth many more years of my time.
e
PAGE 6 MPE Journal - Winter 2024
Made with FlippingBook Digital Proposal Creator