COMMENTARY
We're still waiting for the guv in Keaukaha

By Joseph Theroux

That old line about yesterday's newspaper being used to wrap fish may still be true, but in the case of my commentary ("Understanding our 'broken' schools," March 9), it seems to have taken on a life of its own.

Theroux

Several judges and attorneys called to say they liked it. A retired university regent called to say she was donating $100 to my school. A Big Island Masonic lodge is donating a set of Harry Potter books to our library. I fielded about a dozen phone calls from community people thanking me for the piece.

Only two letters struck a negative note. The governor's scheduling director complained that I was unfair in not inviting Linda Lingle to my school, and a lady from Maui wrote, upset that I used the word haole.

What surprised me was the 50-plus letters and e-mails I received from people across the state in reply to the piece. Many reflected the sentiment of the dental hygienist on O'ahu who wrote:

"Dear Mr. T, Just read your article in the Island Voices. Thank you on behalf of all who work so hard to make a difference in the lives of the children in their schools. You are so 'on target' in your comments about people who criticize and point fingers without knowing 'what's going on.' I think that people who go out to 'evaluate' are only looking for the negative and are not recognizing what is good, working and what matters. Keep advocating for the children. Thank you."

A retired journalist wrote a long letter, praising teachers and bashing politicians. He went on to say:

"We need seven school boards like seven holes in our head ... We need more caring principals and teachers and more ability to understand situations as they exist in Keaukaha, Ka'u and elsewhere where people are poor and frustrated. I was alarmed that the so-called audit was so obviously flawed. Thanks for identifying the details."

A senior educator in a large private school said:

"Mr. Theroux, This was forwarded to me by our supervisor, and it is circulating in other areas of our system. I would like to thank you for writing such an eloquent and compelling response to the narrowness of current approaches to educational reform. Your support of your faculty, staff and students is an example to us all ... If there is some way I can assist you, please let me know."

A Windward O'ahu principal wrote:

"I was moved to tears when I read your article. The callous disregard of the effort made by all of the committed personnel in your school community is unforgivable. I applaud your tact and your courage in helping to enlighten our elected leader.

"Like you, I am a principal of a small school that is in its first year of corrective action. Luckily, I am in Option 1, which does not require an audit by PWC. I feel for all the schools that are valiantly fighting to make the system work for the sake of our children. Did the governor consider what would happen to those children if the school weren't there at all? The horrible thing about this whole process is that we are all scrambling to make AYP that we cannot combine our efforts to help each other out. That is the spirit — the spirit of cooperation — that will conquer poverty and anguish. I wish there were more I could do for you. I hope these simple words convey my aloha and support. If there is anything I can do, please let me know."

I got a dozen or so e-mails expressing emotions similar to the teacher who wrote:

"I read your article in this morning's Advertiser. You said so eloquently what we teachers feel and know. I was in tears by the end of your article. Thank you."

Another principal on the Big Island volunteered this:

"Joe, I commend you for that truthful commentary that you wrote ... it was quite thought-provoking. Where else would you find teachers limiting homework so that those students living without electricity can be accommodated? I too have 'aunties' and 'uncles' who live in Matson containers and tents ... I have several students that I allow to shower here because of low water levels in their 'tarp' tank. I'm tired of chasing 'crack-smoking' adults off campus ... I let them drop off their kids first, of course. I hear you, my brother!"

A teacher on Kaua'i e-mailed me to say:

"Although I don't know you, I was compelled to write a short note thanking you for standing up for the teachers and staff at your school and in essence, all schools. Your Island Voices piece yesterday brought tears to my eyes. I am a teacher on Kaua'i, and we go over and beyond what others see. People are quick to judge, yet they do not see the whole picture. Thanks again for opening the public's eye — and the governor's eye — to what we at schools really do!"

An official at the College of Education said:

"Joseph, thank you so much for the powerful (letter) you wrote for The Advertiser. Policy makers and the general public need to hear the voices of educators, and you represented educators extremely well in your letter to the governor. Thank you for the letter and for all the good work you are doing for the children of Hawai'i."

A principal from the Central District said:

"Your Island Voices article was extremely touching and made me feel proud of being a part of a public education system that responds to human needs in ways that can only be explained because of the passion and compassion of its professional educators. Your voice, and other school level educators, are the only ones that can bring sense back to the conversation about educational reform that has been mired because the politicians have monopolized the debate. We need to make the public understand that the system is not broken, nor is it obsolete ... To call it broken or obsolete is an insult to all who are a part of the system who give it their all on a day-to-day basis ... We need to generate a public willingness that will translate into the political will to do what is necessary to provide the DOE with the capacity to do its work effectively ..."

A favorite was this, from the Windward District:

"Hats off for your letter ... Thank you for expressing what each and every one of us at a school in corrective action and on PricewaterhouseCooper's hit list is feeling. I have friends at schools in high-functioning zip codes that tease me ... with one stroke of a pen on a 101b (transfer form) you could go from being a sucky teacher to awesome ... just change ZIP codes. Thank you for reminding me why I choose to come to work in this ZIP code. I think we should make

T-shirts: 'Corrective Action School and Damn Proud to Work Here!' (nah, we need something catchier). Thanks again."

The governor should take note: there are a lot of angry and frustrated folks out there who think that she — not me — is the one who's unfair.

The governor's scheduling director posed several questions: "Did Principal Theroux formally request a visit from Gov. Lingle? No. Did he have ample opportunities to arrange such a visit? Yes."

I might pose similar questions: "Did Gov. Lingle look into the complex issues that affect public schools in Hawai'i before she blasted them? No. Did she have ample opportunity to do so? Yes."

The director went on to say, "In fact, we'd love to hear from him."

In Keaukaha, we at the school are still waiting to hear from the governor. Not only will I invite her, I would like her to spend more than the rushed few minutes she usually spends at a school.

From what I see on the news, she arrives with an entourage and cameramen, takes a tour of the school, listens to students sing, and then makes some remarks. On one occasion, she took a few softball questions ("What do you like best about being governor? Do you want to be president?").

We at Keaukaha do not believe that such a visit would make for a meaningful experience. I realize Gov. Lingle is a busy woman, but I would like her to spend a slightly longer time with us, for a good taste of what life is like at a public school. She can even teach a lesson in writing, since I note her degree was in journalism. Our excellent cafeteria staff will provide her a nutritious breakfast and lunch gratis.

Keaukaha would love to hear from her.