"Holy Workers"

My wife, son, and I attended our church choir’s performance of Handel’s “Messiah” the week before Christmas, 2005.  It was an ambitious undertaking for a small church and a very commendable performance by the choir.  I think King George II would have leapt to his feet in appreciation just as he did during the “Messiah’s” premier.

As I sat in the audience, I scanned the sanctuary observing the diversity among our church family.  Elderly grandparents, sleeping babies, African Americans, Asian Americans, Americans of European ancestry, people of different political affiliations, people representing different economic attainment, and even a range of faith though we all claim to be Presbyterian – and just think about the differences in personalities!  Though our congregation is not nearly as diverse as some, I thought it interesting that people who are so different find grace in the same church sanctuary.

           

Where else do Americans find such welcome and acceptance?  American Public Schools!  Here Americans find a different, but still powerful kind of grace. 

Americans are so different – in faith, philosophy, political affiliations, race, ethnicity, age, ancestry, economic standing, and even sexual orientation.  But it really isn’t so remarkable that we are so different is it?  After all, this is America!  What is so remarkable is our commonality.  What “knits” people of such diversity together?  What commonalities do Americans share? What holds a nation of diverse and sometimes conflicting backgrounds together?

Three major things:  our democratic republic, our economic system of free enterprise, and our system of public education.  While some would argue which of the three is most important, they are all important and despite all of our differences, we all share the benefit these provide. 

           

In America the ability of an individual to secure political and economic franchise is neither automatic nor guaranteed.  It is an opportunity available to Americans and their ability to attain it depends to a large degree on the performance of America’s public schools.  Those people most disenfranchised from political and economic power in our country, by and large, are those people who have been least successful in school.   Those people suffering most have reaped the least benefit that public education can provide.  The performance of America’s public schools is of national importance and of importance for every single child.

           

In the season of Christmas, Hanukah, and Kwanza, I was reminded that public school educators do what Lorraine Monroe calls “holy work” in “sacred places.”  They impact the life of every child they teach and they change those lives in long lasting measure.  Their work helps our students secure the political and economic benefit that is unavailable without them.

Public school educators deserve honor and blessing for doing the work they do and for serving the children and families they serve.  As individuals and as a nation, we owe them that.