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Introducing The Answers

A monthly column on education in Watkins Glen

The following was written by Travis Durfee, President of the Watkins Glen Faculty Association.

Welcome back to school! As we start another school year, our first lesson covers a pretty broad topic ... public education. What is public education? In a nutshell, you gather the school-aged children in and around Watkins Glen, put them in age-appropriate classrooms and provide them with rich educational experiences to inspire a love of learning while preparing them for future success. Yes, that is the simple answer, but this could be a long lecture, a life’s work, really. Luckily we can give you The Answers.

Welcome to The Answers, a monthly column about education in Watkins Glen. The goal of this space is to broaden the discussion about public education in our community. A strong, vibrant democracy flourishes when a variety of voices exchange ideas in the public sphere. This column strives to inspire discussion about our schools and share information with the public from a different perspective. Here you will read the voice of the WGFA, the Watkins Glen Faculty Association, the union that represents the public school teachers of Watkins Glen.

The WGFA represents more than 200 highly-qualified active and retired professionals who have chosen to dedicate their careers to educating the children of this community. We are the teachers, teaching assistants, nurses, counselors and coaches of the Watkins Glen Central School District. We work hard to live up to our motto: teaching tomorrow’s leaders today.

We believe that stronger unions make for stronger schools. When teachers are empowered, students succeed and communities thrive. With the autonomy to make decisions about curriculum and educational activities, great teachers make for even greater schools. We look to continue this model of success in partnership with the community of Watkins Glen: the district and the board of education, the parents and the students, businesses and nonprofits.

To that end you will see a good deal more of the WGFA in the community this year. We will expand our commitment to community service with a focus on efforts to promote literacy and to serve those in need. Look for our banner or our tent with our new logo. Stop by and say hello. We look forward to receiving feedback and building relationships with existing groups and individuals working to enhance our community’s reputation as a beautiful small town and a great place to raise children.

As the school year gets underway, let’s embrace our assignment: to educate the children of our community. Yes, this means schoolwork and homework, too. Now, the seasoned students among you will ask: Will this be on the test? Yes, of course! And the measure of our success is our children’s future. Together we can study and get it right. And now we have The Answers.

Travis Durfee
President
Watkins Glen Faculty Association
watkinsglenfacultyassociation@gmail.com

 

© The Odessa File 2016
Charles Haeffner
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