My first experience with Dr. Frank was during my 5th grade year, where I only had her for math at the 6th grade level. Every day, her class was a grueling, exhausting, difficult experience that persisted everyday. I remember one time, Dr. Frank sat with me to understand a math problem for the whole class, where at the end I was practically pulling my hairs out. That was only for 45 minutes of the day. In sixth grade, I had her for the whole day, everyday. I had no idea how I would be able to handle Dr Frank’s hard classes for the whole school day for a whole school year.
I was a smart student before 6th grade. It wasn’t until 6th grade, where I met Dr. Frank, that I became a driven, passionate student with the motivation to become not only a better academic, but a better person. Her classes pushed me to think independently and deeply about everything I learned. She is the one who placed me in higher-grade classes, as she believed I had the capacity to do more. Dr. Frank believed in me.
I am one of the top members of my class. I scored a 33 on the ACT and I have maintained a 4.2 GPA throughout my high school career, going through an accelerated course of learning throughout my high school career. I am involved in multiple clubs, sports, and committees in the school and I have received a full ride scholarship to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I would not be this person I am today without the help of the teachers of Freeport High School.
The quality of teachers in our school is the number one most important driver in the education of the high school. Teachers come into this profession because they are passionate about the education, well-being, and future of the students in the district.
Though, this passion and care for students is not enough to keep our teachers on payroll when faced with a multi-million dollar deficit, at least it seems that way with our superintendents. They have decided to impose a RIF, a reduction in force, to the school district, laying off teachers and staff across the district. My question, however, is if this is the best course of action.
Educators of Freeport in particular are special, as we are the most diverse school by far within our region, holding students from different ethnicities, classes, and circumstances. Our school has such a wide range of white, Black, Hispanic, Asian, poor, rich, red, blue, country, city, all concentrated into a conglomerate mixture that has learned to love and accept each other for their differences. It takes a special breed of teacher to teach such a vast variety of students and accommodate their every need, and the teachers here at Freeport High School do exactly that.
Earlier in the year one of our financial superintendents stepped into the building for the first time ever, in order to tell us that he was responsible for managing the budget cuts coming to our school. It is no secret that the district-level administration of this school district is not well-versed in the environment of Freeport High School. But as a senior who’s spent his whole life in this system, the students of this school need their teachers. They are not only educators, but they are mentors, role models, and inspirations to the students.
I don’t know the type of student I would be — I don’t know the type of person I would be if I didn’t have the guidance, support, and mentorship of teachers like Dr. Frank. If we get rid of teachers, these new, young teachers who are passionate about their job, who are passionate about the future of this nation.
It has been lost to the students of today to care. It feels as if students today are taught that their political identities are for a later stage in life, that you are uncool if you care about politics at a young age. In reality, developing political literacy this early in life prepares us for events like these. It prepares us to be outraged and prevent misrepresentation of our community.
In order to prevent the finalization of another future event such as the RIF, students need to get informed now. Develop that opinion, learn about what’s going on around you, and start reading the news. A good place to start would be Pretzel Media, or really any local news network. By engaging with the news, you cannot be surprised with the development of an event like the RIF, and you will be prepared and informed for the next course of action to prevent such events.
Another simple way would be to pay attention in your classes, to the conversations, and to the things that happen around you. Arm yourself with the power of literacy, so that you can defend yourself and your community.
I know we all feel the gloomy air among our teachers whos’ positions are changing next year. Inevitably, Freeport will face another challenge like this, where the community needs the help of an informed public. The action must be now. Be informed, be involved, so that next time we as students are more prepared for the next time the community needs someone to stand up.