Cutbacks in Education Serve to Stunt the Future of America

Funny, the day after California’s largest Lotto jackpot was handed out, I was informed that my school could no longer afford the ESL (English as a second language) teachers our community so desperately needs. My principal told me they couldn’t keep me past June. They had to cut 500 teacher-hours across the board.

Did I feel sorry for myself? To be honest, yes. But not as sorry as I felt for my students.

I’m a good teacher. When I went into this profession, it was with a sense of honor and duty. First, honor, in that I might influence the future of America by helping new Americans, some with great minds, to enter our society. Second, duty, because learning any language, especially English, is a daunting task.

My job has been to cut the language into bite-size chunks and to help these students build the confidence that comes with ability.

It also seems ironic that at a time when lobbyists are pushing for an English-only California, my adult-education school, which has a long waiting list for its ESL students, cannot support an adequate number of teachers.

There has been a lot said about the importance of our children to the future of America. Of course, this is true. But there is more. I submit that the future lies not only in the hands of our children and their teachers, but also in the hands of the millions of immigrants who are coming to our land. These people can contribute so much. I believe that for them, as for our children, education is the golden key.

ELIZABETH LOCKWOOD, Irvine