Townsend will teach Richmond politicians about educators’ plight

Letter to the editor 

Have you ever taught middle school?  Does the thought of it make you cringe? 

On a daily basis, there is an abundance of name calling, raging hormones, finger pointing, dirty tricks and excuses, excuses, excuses.  No, I’m not talking about Richmond politics – but I easily could be.

Sara Townsend has taught middle school.  She’s dealt with little children who aren’t mature enough to play nicely, or wait their turn and not scream and cry when things don’t go their way. 

She’s been the calm voice of reason over the screams of temper tantrums and foot stomping.  She knows what being in a room of adolescent, immature children is like, and that’s why I’m voting for her. 

There has been a lot of talk about how important education is in the Commonwealth from both sides of the aisle, and quite honestly, not enough action.  As a teacher myself, I know that everything from how high my class sizes are to how high my pencil sharpener is from the ground is determined by politics – and that’s why I vote for pro-education candidates. 

I do my homework on the candidates’ positions on education because I know that the decisions on education have a long-lasting effect.  Taxes will go up and down, policies will be enacted and later changed, laws will go on and off the books – but when you dictate how a child is taught – those effects remain a lot longer than anybody’s time in office.

It is time for a change in Richmond.  We finally have a governor that is listening to teachers.  And now, you and I, the residents of District 31, have a chance to elect a teacher – someone who has dedicated their life to education – not politics.  There are enough career politicians in Richmond, and I’m tired of hearing the “Oh, I love teachers” line – and watch them do nothing – or worse. 

I’m tired of adult children telling me how to teach my school children.  I’m tired of people who think that just because they went to school, they think they know about schooling.  I’m tired of policies about education being enacted because of ideology, not reality, and moreover, I’m tired of the same old Richmond.  I want a new, bright future for my students and my Commonwealth. 

I want a new voice to stand up and explain – not fight – but teach those in Richmond what it is like for those of us here in the trenches – teaching thier kids.

We need a teacher in Richmond. We need Sara Townsend.

Chuck Ronco is a high school math teacher in Prince William County and is a resident of District 31.