Time has come to build a 'we'

It is an irrefutable fact that human beings have an incredible propensity and skill for finding fault with, and focusing on, the most negative aspects of any given situation. We love to point fingers at others shortcomings (ignoring our own) and imagine ourselves much more skilled and capable people than the objects of our scorn. We love to shout from rooftops that the sky is falling in and all is wrong with our world. We enjoy making blanket statements and obese generalizations about ills. We are also very afraid of putting egos and emotions aside in order to seek the truth, because sometimes pure truth doesn't fit in with what our mind wants to believe.

I've worked at Clark Fork Jr/Sr High School and Hope Elementary for the past 2 1/2 years as a school counselor and Service Learning coordinator. I would like to state some simple and accurate facts, and point out some strengths and positive things that I have found since choosing to work in these schools. There are some first rate educators at Clark Fork Jr/Sr High School and Hope Elementary. This is a fact. For two years in a row, Clark Fork High School students have won the national Ford Scholarship for essay writing. The Hope & Clark Fork character education program was recently awarded a Promising Practices citation from the National Character Education Partnership. Our ATTA TOUCH school based business program has been honored and featured in many national conferences and publications. Our professional/technical program is expanding to challenging new heights .The band and humanities program sparks passion, creativity, and curiosity in every student involved. Our science and math teachers have received many honors for their commitment to excellence in education. We aren't perfect, but we aren't exactly bereft of merit either.

In truth, the positives take too much room to state. Yes, our distance learning lab was removed from our school. No we don't have as many teachers, offerings or resources as SHS. (research shows that more electives are not the answer to better education by the way) Yes we have some educational issues to work on. No, we aren't a model of educational excellence… yet. YES… there are those of us here at the school who are working towards improvement and yes… even excellence. No it won't happen overnight. Yes we need help from the community and support from the district. Sure we could use more resources. But…does finger pointing, bickering, and spouting half truths (on both sides mind you) help lay the groundwork for effective collaboration? Do such behaviors model principled relationships for kids? Isn't the primary focus supposed to be on the kids? Enough of us and them. Let's start building "we."

CONNIE A. KIMBLE

Clark Fork