By Steve Schertzer
Taejeongdae Middle School
Mr. President-elect, I realize that there is a lot on your plate. The economy, as well as North Korea, various social problems in an ever-changing society, and educational reform are important. You are just beginning your presidency. No doubt that by the end of your presidency you will be thinking of a legacy, something to leave to the Korean people.
As for educational reform, may I suggest the following? Since you and your government seem committed to hiring foreigners from English speaking countries to teach Korea's children, your legacy may be found in these very important seven words. Ok, what are they? The nine suggestions below?
Hire foreign teachers who are committed to seeing their students succeed. Hire foreign teachers who yearn to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Hire foreign teachers who love what they do. Hire foreign teachers who go to bed at night and dream about what they can do to improve the lives of their students. Hire foreign teachers who can't wait to jump out of bed in the morning and get to work in the classroom. Hire foreign teachers who miss their students when they are not with them. Hire foreign teachers who want to be here. Hire foreign teachers who can't imagine doing anything but sharing their time and energy with their students. In other words, hire foreign teachers who love your children.
You need teachers with love, hope, faith, passion, and compassion. You need teachers who are dedicated, responsible, reliable, and committed to the best possible education for young people. And there is no blood and urine test for that.
When it comes to education reform, this will be your lasting legacy. The hiring of teachers who love your children will do more to improve the educational system than anything else humanly imaginable.
To be blunt, my tears and your legacy are inexorably linked. You're going to need my tears to test for love and passion. You're going to need to see the tears in my eyes when we all succeed. You're going to need to hear the quiver in my voice when I talk about how much I miss many of my students. And you're going to have to come to any one of my classes and watch my students in action as we all learn and teach together. In fact, you are most welcomed to do this anytime.
fter all, Mr. President, you're not the only one with a legacy to leave.
The writer can be reached at esl_steve@excite.com