A Message From Our President

State of the Union 2011 - Tuesday, January 25

Let's also remember that after parents, the biggest impact on a child's success comes from the man or woman at the front of the classroom. In South Korea, teachers are known as "nation builders." Here in America, it's time we treated the people who educate our children with the same level of respect. We want to reward good teachers and stop making excuses for bad ones. And over the next 10 years, with so many baby boomers retiring from our classrooms, we want to prepare 100,000 new teachers in the fields of science and technology and engineering and math.

In fact, to every young person listening tonight who's contemplating their career choice: If you want to make a difference in the life of our nation; if you want to make a difference in the life of a child -- become a teacher. Your country needs you.

In South Korea, students are hand picked during high school to become teachers.  Only the best and the brightest are chosen to be able to pursue training in this most honorable profession.  Teachers are some of the highest ranking society members.  Well paid, and well respected.

I’ve always wanted to be a teacher (just took the Disney detour).  The mere fact that I had to come all the way to South Korea to be able to teach shows very clearly that there is something hugely wrong with our education system.  Here I’m getting experience (and potentially another degree) so when I do come back to America (whenever and wherever that may be) perhaps I will finally be deemed hire-able by American standards.

(If you comment please refrain from writing any derogatory remarks about our President.  I will delete it.  Please and Thank you.)