My first year of teaching began 45 years ago at Clinton High School, then located on Fayetteville Street, the current location of Sunset Elementary. Teaching back then was more about hands on learning, learning by doing and creative learning, absent the pressure to “teach to the test.” “Was old school so bad?”

Then, the key to learning was having the student the center of learning. We knew the value of keeping our students on task and engaged in learning. “Old school” was big on getting students more active in their learning. “Old school” teachers expected much more from their students. Teachers were expected to discipline their students, and they had the support of the parents, with both the teacher and the parent on the same page of discipline and refusing to tolerate much foolishness. With dedicated parents, education today can be markedly improved.

“No education, no future.” It can’t be any plainer than that. And this mantra starts in the home, with parents instilling in their children and youth the importance of education to their futures. Parents, this message has to be drilled home over and over, letting our young people know that they must never settle for “just getting by.”

To be sure, it’s all about helping children have a better future, and every parent should want to do more to help provide their children with the necessary conditions for a good education. Parents must be the key player in their children’s education as being a better parent will make teachers more effective.

Additionally, the research has found that when a child knows parents and teachers are regularly working together, the child will see that education is a high priority, requiring commitment and effort. Our children and youth must come to realize there is no magic or easy shortcut to acquiring the knowledge and skills that will largely determine where they end up in life.

Unfortunately, too many of our youth, taking those shortcuts to “success” are ending up in prison. So, parents and other student advocates, let’s encourage our children to dream big and to have the fortitude to reach them, removing obstacles to drive, determination and a willingness to work hard. The home must become that anchor of support to our youth, helping them reclaim their sense of hope, while emphasizing the importance of going to school prepared to work hard and learn.

Helping your child secure a shot at a decent future, letting them know they “can rise beyond where they are in spite of the circumstances.” Parents, you are the most impactful role models your children can have when it comes to defining the positive impact on the success and achievement of your children. This is especially true in developing early literacy and learning skills that will transfer to school.

Young, hip and fresh out of college, I am not. But I do believe there is much value in the revival of “old school teaching.”

https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/web1_Larry-Sutton-2-1-1.jpg

By Larry Sutton

Contributing columnist

Larry Sutton is a retired school teacher from Clinton High School.