Why do we fear change? Maybe because change typically has been painful for us in the past, or we don't want to get our hopes up, because anytime we have tried changing it hasn't worked out for us. Well, I submit to those of you reading this right now, the belief that we are in a major turning point in our country and therefore around the world in all the major mountains of society with Education being one of them.

     It is no secret that our education system is broken and in desperate need of reformation. If you know any administrators, or educators I am positive you have heard them talk about the many, many woes and pitfalls of their jobs. Teachers that may be reading this, why are we not standing up to "the Beast" as education is (not so affectionately) called?! Why do we continue to ignore the issues, sweep them under the rug and not shed the light of truth on them? I don't know the answer to these questions, but I do  know that I have my own story of fighting through and desiring to make a difference in this field I believe God called me to over fifteen years ago.

    There has to be solutions to these issues and I am determined to continue fighting to be a part of them instead of remaining silent and doing things how they have always been done. Now you may think to yourself, "Wow, Rachel..you sure you want to open Pandora's box??" My response to that is YES, ABSOLUTELY, because I have been "around the block" in multiple types of schools and seen the same issues arise and always left feeling hopeless and weighed down under those issues; never in front of them, making a true difference and bringing about lasting breakthrough and change.

     Since not many are talking about these issues I have decided that the first step we need to be taking towards solutions is to speak the truth about them. I do not post this merely as a rant on a soapbox, or complaining to get it off my chest and then walking away, no! I desire to bring light on them, so we can begin discussing how we are going to bring effective and lasting change.

     I believe one of the root issues that needs to be addressed first, is recognizing the way in which our educational system was originally set up is no longer appropriately and effectively meeting the needs of the students as a whole. The administrators and teachers are not being properly supported by leadership and then because of the lack in multiple areas, tasks are perpetually piled onto the shoulders of the administrators and then ultimately the classroom teacher. Then when things fail, because of course they will, the teacher is deemed a “bad teacher” and takes the fall out; which leads back to the student’s needs not being met. It is a big, crazy, and vicious cycle of nonsense and as I said before no one is talking about it! 

     I have decided to start talking about it! My heart is like the heart of any noble, true, good, and pure educator out there: I simply want to be free to meet students where they are on their educational journey and tailor lessons for them according to their personal needs. Teachers in the current system are not able to do that, because of the aforementioned reasons. The simplest solution would be to find a way to have one system that is broad enough to tailor teaching. The key would be to have teams of teachers because there is no way one classroom teacher would be able to manage all of that on their own, which is kind of the whole point of this blog post! 

   In conclusion of simply beginning this conversation, this is the very heart and mission of Simple Solutions. After 12 years working in the classroom I have seen enough writing on the walls to wake up and realize if I want to see things change in the mountain of society known as Education, well I am going to have to do something different. It is by complete faith in the word of God that I am stepping out and arising to this challenge, because it must change! No longer can our administrators, teachers and therefore students suffer and crumble under unrealistic, impossible expectations without any support and liberty. 

   My charge to you parents, friends, fellow educators, tutors, principals and families reading is COME TOGETHER, TAKE A STAND, and BUILD differently for the sake of our children who I don’t have to remind you are our future. I will be doing everything I can with the leadership of the Lord to bring solutions. Will you join me?! I hope the answer is YES! Let’s partner together on this journey forward! 

   In Hope, 

   Rachel K. Smith