My father is a teaching legend in the South Valley. I often meet
people who, when they learn I’m Raymond Cheek’s son, exclaim how my
dad was their
”
favorite teacher
”
and how he had
”
a huge impact
”
on their lives.
My father is a teaching legend in the South Valley. I often meet people who, when they learn I’m Raymond Cheek’s son, exclaim how my dad was their “favorite teacher” and how he had “a huge impact” on their lives.
Dad taught music at Hollister’s high school and in San Juan Bautista’s elementary school. He also taught music appreciation classes at San Benito County Junior College (which became Gavilan Community College). A third-generation teacher, he knew a thing or two about public education – stuff today’s educators would be wise to reflect upon.
One thing my dad knew was that the best teachers possess the ability to share with their students an enormous passion for the subject they specialize in instructing. Teachers either have that passion or they don’t. And from what folks tell me, my dad had it.
Another thing my dad knew about public education is that the best school districts carefully cultivate a mutually-beneficial relationship with the community they serve. No school district can exist in isolation. That seems like an obvious fact. But many school districts fail to comprehend that their existence requires ongoing support from the individuals and organizations making up the bigger community.
The higher the quality of community support, the higher the quality of education a school district can provide its customers – namely, all the kids in the classrooms. And this support starts by the school district generating effective communication with the community it was formed to serve. Unfortunately, in recent years, school districts in the South Valley (and across America) have done a lousy job in creating quality communication with their communities. I believe that’s one big reason many public schools are in the sorry shape that they’re in. Their poor communication causes them to be disconnected from community support.
Last Monday, I enjoyed a friendly chat about this problem with Dr. Wesley Smith, the new superintendent of the Morgan Hill Unified School District. We discussed the major challenges schools everywhere face. One of the biggest is how school district administrators can best manage dwindling financial resources at the same time that society demands more from schools. I have a huge hunch stronger interaction between schools and the community might help in dealing with this challenge.
During my chat with Smith, I perceived how the quality of our public schools generates a ripple effect impacting every single facet of a community. High quality schools pay back their public investment in lowered criminal activity, improved public safety, higher real estate value, increased business success, local industry growth (which leads to more job opportunities) and a broader tax base to pay for city services. Quality schools also generate pride in residents for their community – a benefit beyond monetary value.
Quality education, however, doesn’t come about magically. It requires effective leadership at the top level of the school district administration. It requires someone who has the vision to create dynamic dialogue between the school district and all community members. It requires someone willing to take the time to form alliances with a diversity of individuals and organizations and thus build bridges for broader community support for our public schools.
Building wide community support is an absolute imperative if the people of Morgan Hill wish to secure the academic success of the nearly 9,000 youngsters who make up the customer base of their school district. And it’s an absolute imperative if Gilroy and San Benito County’s school children are to succeed, too.
If Smith proves successful in his endeavor of creating stronger community support through more effective communication, his example will serve as a model for other South Valley school administrators to build solid coalitions with their own communities. It takes time and energy to build these alliances. The payback for everyone from improved public school education is well worth the effort.
Whether they have children in the school system or not, most people of the South Valley region want to contribute beyond mere tax dollars to build quality schools. It’s time South Valley school administrators tap into that community support. The future is at stake.
I’m rooting for Superintendent Smith. I hope his open leadership style and listening skills will help him establish a vibrant network of influence connecting students, teachers, parents, school staff, local businesses, elected officials and non-profit organizations together to create a synergy that will mutually enhance our schools and our community. I wish Smith all the success possible in creating this spirit of connectivity between all individuals personally impacted by the level of education provided at our public schools – which, it turns out, is everyone.
And if he were alive, I bet my father would no doubt root for Smith, too. Dad knew the value of schools uniting with the community to achieve a greater good.
