Michelle Obama: Teachers Are Key To Successful Economy

US News & World Report:

We all remember the impact a special teacher had on us--a teacher who refused to let us fall through the cracks; who pushed us and believed in us when we doubted ourselves; who sparked in us a lifelong curiosity and passion for learning. So it's not surprising that studies show that the single most important factor affecting students' achievement is the caliber of their teachers.

And good teachers aren't just critical for the success of our students. They are the key to the success of our economy.

Read the whole story: US News & World Report

Comments

[ywcachieve]

nice

[dezzertguy]

It is not unusual for wives of politicans to voice support for special interest groups that support their husbands politically. I do not recall the media asking Laura Bush, who actually worked for years in the school system, for her comments.

[AtheistUS]

Please, no Bu$$ word here.

[ywcachieve]

'''''I do not recall the media asking Laura Bush, who actually worked for years in the school system, for her comments.'''''

Obviously, they didn't want to know her opinion.

[StillIRise]

Even though Republicans hate education and despise educators - those whom you call a special interest group - I can recall Laura Bush making several statements on educational matters.

But since Laura and George represented a base that rejects the school system in their communities, and prefers home schooling instead, maybe they weren't that interested in what Laura had to say about something she didn't politically support ...

[katieandtom]

stillirise, repubs do not h8 education. the repub base may reject the school system, but its not for home schooling, its for private school.

[mypov123]

Great message, Michelle.

One more tip: Democratic politicians should stand up for school vouchers being a part of education reform.

[katieandtom]

mypov, why should they stand up for school vouchers? i pay for my kids private school and i dont think we should receive vouchers. it is our choice and we prefer not to utilize the public school system. voucher money should go to the public schools to make them better.

[mypov123]

Why? Because the majority of the Democrats who oppose school vouchers and are telling their constituents about the importance of public schools, are sending their own children to private schools, it's hypocritical. They're too afraid of losing the support of teacher's unions to say that maybe vouchers should be A PART of what can be done to reform the education system. The average cost of the D.C. school voucher program per child was LESS than the cost per child being funded to attend one of D.C.'s public schools. Yet the Dems wanted to get rid of the program, even though the children who were attending private schools with the help of vouchers were excelling academically. If they're serious about "investing in what works" in order to help all children have access to a quality education, then they should stop being hypocrites and support voucher programs like the one that was terminated in D.C.

[GeoLee]

"Pray tell," not "pary tell": I should have taken typing for more than one semester.

[GeoLee]

How ironic that the headline writer wrote that Michelle Obama wrote an Op-Ed on teachers. pary tell what teachers did she write the op-ed "on" and what parts of their bodies did they have to bare so Huff Po could see it? Or was the headline writer deprived of good teachers in his or her life?

[jmml]

It's pretty common to say an article is being written on something. It's not incorrect.

[Peets101]

If she walked on water, the rightwingnuts would accuse her of not being able to swim.

[mypov123]

Well then she would fit the stereotype that black people can't swim, that would satisfy the rethugs.

[jws2346]

LOL, right on!

[AtheistUS]

"We need to set limits and turn off the TV. We need to put away those video games and make sure that homework gets done." - sounds very inspiring, but unlikely one voice (even from the top) will stop mainstream media brainwashing.

"President Obama is already investing more than $3 billion to turn around struggling schools." - All such 'good' numbers pale in comparison with one month of wars, or with money stolen by financial sector.

[jqcitizen]

First ladies are expected to represent something important to the country, consistent with the presidents agenda.
All of us should hope that educating our children is a good thing. Praising good teachers might not be enough, since many are overworked and underpaid. But, all HONEST hard working people have, for too long, been underpaid.
If, we voters, were 'smart' we would get a congress that would do more to rid the country of DISHONEST lazy thieves that claim to be worth $58,000/hr as CEO's of bankrupt corporations.
Voters need education.I just hope the babies born today are 'smart' 18 years from now, when they vote.

[radicalcentrist44]

This is easy, just send your children to University of Chicago Lab School, even when your husband is a "community organizer" or obscure state senator. But make sure and let everyone know that you "support" public schools.

[kid5rivers2]

My, oh my! Still bitter, aren't we?

[Knowitall]

Bitter and inaccurate. By the time the Obama's children were in school, they were both making six figure salaries, and his book was selling pretty good. So they could afford to send their children wherever they want to. That's one of the blessings of our democratic system.

However, they both as children attended public schools at certain points in their lives, and got pretty good educations. And at some point in their lives, both of them were sent to private schools because their parents sacrificed to send them. Many of us had parents who struggled to send us to private schools. You can do that. It doesn't mean that you forget about the kids whose parent or parents aren't able to make that sacrifice. Those children also deserve a good public education.

[SouthPrairie]

Jesus was a "community organizer" and her daughters are in a unique situation that would be more difficult if they were in a public school.

Ask not what your small mind can do for you, ask what you can do for your small mind.

[StillIRise]

I find it so hypocritical that Repbulicans or radical centrists, can accept without question or pause some of the wealthiest, most privileged white men in our society to preside in the White House. No one even thinks about where they were educated or where their children were educated or the various legitimate and worthy avenues they traveled in life that led them to the presidency ...

But let a black man get in the White House, and EVERYTHING is questioned or brought up for scrutiny. So, are you suggesting that because President Obama was a community organizer and state senator, that his children should not have been able to attend the Lab School? Is there a problem with Michelle, a product of the public schools herself, expressing her support for public education because she sent her children to private school?

If you supported public education, but lived in the heart of the inner-city as the Obamas did, and had an opportunity to send your children to a private school, would you choose not to? Have you ever lived in the heart of the inner-city? Do you have children?

I too am a product of the Chicago public schools. I also taught in the public schools for 34 years, and I am a strong advocate for the public school system. Yet if my husband and I could have afforded to send our daughter to the University of Chicago Lab School, we would not have hesitated to do so.

[VirginiaJeff]

"OMG! Will the brainwashing never end! Make them stop!! Whaaaaahhhhhh!!!"
-- Wingnuts of American

[BarakCarpathia]

I liked her better before she was proud of her country.
Remember back when she has a cushie 330k job at the hospital dumping patients.
Or when the cushise job was so insignificant, when she left, they didn't replace her. (i guess there no more senator wives to buy off)
odds are 99 to 1 this will post

[Elbrando]

Don't be a hater.

[BarakCarpathia]

im a wacked out neocon hater teabagger birther (BHO, sr wasnt his dad),

[kmswriter]

I wonder if anyone is paying attention to the decision the teachers union in Hawaii voted to allow a three day furlough PER MONTH starting Oct.23rd? - pathetic....now kids will be out of school for three days a month...and they can't get it back - a special ed students' parents are looking into the contract the doe has to meet the # of days children need to be in school to meet fed requirements.. all parents should be fighting this vote.

- they should have voted to take parent/teacher conference day as a furlough day - and teacher in- service days on wednesdays - the governor said.. either vote for the furlough or watch me lay off teachers....why take school days from the kids...that is if everyone is really concerned with education...

Turning AZ blue

[Knowitall]

This sounds like a budget decision, that allows them to keep teachers rather than laying them off. Apparently they value their teachers in Hawaii and think they can do a good job even though they will have fewer days to work. Ever think about that??

[kmswriter]

Yes, it is a budget decision, however the days for furlough could have been arranged whereby the students do not suffer....if you take three days a month that equates to 1 month a year less the students have class...

Teachers are able to teach what they need to in less days? - then why is there a 180 day fed mandate for all students. Lets make it 158 days - we could then be further behind even the thrid world countries... your argument needs refining....

[trophybill]

Teachers are key to successful economy,someone put this women back in the kitchen!

[Knowitall]

Huh?

[agett12]

I read the comments on US New and World Report and I was a bit horrified. What scares me is some of these people also try to take the moral high ground. I hope as time progresses eyes are opened and they see that no nation has progressed without investing in its people and rather than looking for a handout people are looking for a hand out. It seems too convenient that many of the commentators forget that the GI bill created the middle class that allowed many of them to even have the chance to go to college. There is a balance and both hard work on the part of individuals and help for those who may not have the structural advantages is needed.

[classicalgeek]

I agree--so many of the comments there were nothing but pure vitriol. I can't believe people are filled with that much hate. (And I live in a red state.)

[Json]

...waiting for the republican outrage...
Barrack tried to indoctrinate schoolchildren and now Michele is trying to influence the teachers?!?
These people are insidious and they won't stop until all of the children are educated. The horror!!!