The vast majority of people have ideas about childcare, education, and the entire school system. After all, nothing could be more essential than knowing that all possible is being done to securely and effectively nurture the next generation of children as they negotiate what is undoubtedly the most critical time of their lives. However, few individuals are as willing to pick apart and criticize aspects of education as a certain retired teacher who went viral a few years ago.

Lisa Roberson, the educator in question, penned an open letter published in the Augusta Chronicle in 2017, and her statements have sparked controversy regarding whether parents or teachers are to blame for the current perceived faults with the school system.It is important to highlight that this letter was written prior to the pandemic, and so occurred before major reforms were implemented to ensure that education could continue in the face of COVID.

Many of the changes made during that tough period elicited mixed emotions from Americans, indicating that people have a lot to say about the state of the education system and what may be done to improve it.Lisa Roberson believes the issue is with parents, not teachers, as some have asserted in recent years.”As a retired teacher, I am sick of people who know nothing about public schools or have not been in a classroom recently deciding how to fix our education system,” she said.

“Teachers are not the problem! Parents are the problem! They are not teaching their children etiquette, respect, or even basic social skills.”The children arrive at school wearing shoes that cost more than the teacher’s entire outfit, but without a pencil or paper. Who provides them? The teachers frequently offer them out of their own pockets.

“When you look at schools that are “failing,” look at the parents and pupils. Do parents attend parent nights? Do they have regular conversations with their teachers? Do they ensure that their children are prepared by providing the required supplies? Do they ensure that their children complete their homework?

“Do they have working phone numbers?” Do students take notes during class? Do they complete their homework? Do students pay attention in class, or are they the source of disruptions?When you consider these criteria, you will notice that it is not the schools that are failing, but the parents. Teachers cannot accomplish both their jobs and their parents’ jobs. Nothing will improve until parents step up and do their part.”

Needless to say, the letter created quite a sensation, and it clearly raises some very valid topics that deserve to be considered.  What do you think about the letter? Are the parents to blame? Or do the teachers bear complete responsibility? Please let us know in the comments.