1. “I want to provide a child with the reading experience that I did not receive during my
educational career. I want to teach them how to read at the age seven, not seventeen.” It all
begins with twenty-six letters. My sister is currently going to school to become a reading teacher
at the elementary level. Her motivation to educate children comes from past experience, but with
positive intentions. All teachers should have the personal and close to the heart reasons when
pursuing an education career.
How can we educate the next generation unless we focus and make it our purpose to
ensure all students the ability to read? If there was a campaign advocating for literacy training for
teachers, the educational system would effectively prepare students to academically succeed
from the very beginning. A child’s educational ability may be unattainable if they are not given
the chance to properly read, process and transmit information.
A particular issue of significance but usually within the lower grades is the importance
of literacy skills and proper teacher training. Education is considered to be the most powerful
tool. It impacts the lives of individuals and the society in which we exist. The process of public
education allows for the opportunity for all individuals of gender, race, ethnicity and
socioeconomic background to receive formal education.
As students within the public school system, my sister and I struggled greatly with
reading difficulties and always seemingly worked twice as hard as other students. Both were
officially diagnosed with dyslexia in high school and recused from ourselves by those who saw
our struggle and the potential that we had. Our reading limitations had prevented us from being
successful from the beginning of our educational careers at the age five.
The importance of reading cannot be stressed enough. Reading allows the means to gain
knowledge for personal and educational enrichment. This basic life skill allows an individual to
obtain language skills with ease and develop a richer vocabulary and cognitive abilities. It took
only one teacher to take an interest in two students, my sister and I, to help realize the potential
and capability to be successful. We are both on the verge of completing bachelor degrees.
No matter their background and limitations, providing an interest in a child gives them
the chance to be successful in the classroom and beyond. Reading allows students to find out
what they are interested in and passionate about, and learn something new every day. The
Department of Education’s main focus should be on the search for dedicated and qualified
teachers like my sister, who have the passion and heart to educate the children on the importance
of reading and provide the basic educational skill to the next generation.
Education is the key to success and quality of life, preparing individuals to someday
develop a more efficient and safer community for future generations and continue to make this
world a better place to live. By simply learning our ABCs, the America educational system can
continue to build strong readers and eventually exceptional students and leaders.