Educators, Don’t Forget Our Goal: Teach Students to Mow Their Yards

School is about to start. If you are a follower of this blog (now numbering more people than I can count one hand), you are probably starting to sense a theme.

Did I mention school is about to start? Don’t get me wrong, I don’t dislike the beginning of school. I hate the end of summer. At least my version of summer: the version in which my school district continues to pay me regardless of the fact that there aren’t any students or teachers in the buildings. And I get to wear shorts — every day. Shorts at work. It’s a little piece of heaven.

Technically I’m not even sure if I can call it work since all of the people that I am responsible for aren’t there. But this will soon change. On goes the tie, which is the official sign that I’m open for business. And by open for business I mean bring me your troubles, concerns and complaints.

I’m going to miss the shorts. But it’s time to focus on the job at hand: educating students.

The question is: What’s the definition of educating students? Is it grades? Test scores? College-bound seniors?

I think all of these are important, but there are other factors we need to consider when deciding if a school has been successful. Do your students graduate and get/hold jobs? Do they pay their taxes? And the ever important … do they mow their yards?

The mowing is especially important if they grow up and buy the house next to me.

Basically, are they productive citizens?

Once a student is out of high school, there are only two options. They either make society better or they make it worse. That’s why I think the definition of educating kids is helping produce good citizens.

Young people need the guidance and discipline that will allow them to grow up and do the right thing. This is a big job and one that schools can’t accomplish alone. Schools need the help of parents, families, churches, communities, coaches and all kinds of other organizations.

I have a feeling there may be some people who disagree with me. People who think the school’s job is to teach addition, make students memorize state capitals and convince kids they will use algebra later in life. (Let the e-mails from math teachers begin!!) All of this while still making AYP.

So to prove my point, let’s use me as an example.

I can’t remember the last time anyone asked or cared what I scored on my ACT test (by the way, the science section was HARD). No one ever asks me for a copy of my high school transcript (or permanent record as it was known when I was a kid … the thought of the information contained in that manila folder falling into the wrong hands scares me).

I’m never quizzed on the capital of Vermont (no it’s not Burlington). I seldom get in trouble when I don’t keep both feet on the floor while typing. And last but not least, I have no idea what 'X' is in X + Y - 14 = 2 trains left the station at 2 a.m. and one was traveling at a speed of 42 miles an hour.

Yet, my neighbors can tell you that I mowed my yard on Thursday.

So there you have it. As educators, we are not just producing test scores. We are producing citizens. People who grow up and do the right thing: pay their taxes, volunteer, raise their kids and hold jobs.

As a teacher or administrator, you know you’ve done your job when a former student walks up and talks about his or her spouse, job, new house or children’s accomplishments. Odds are they won’t mention that Montpelier is the capital of Vermont.

To read more blog entries by Michael Smith, visit his site PrincipalsPage.com.