BACK TO SCHOOL ISN'T ABOUT EDUCATION ANYMORE, IT'S ABOUT SHOES

Back to school. This phrase should conjure up thoughts of study, work, discipline, socialization and maybe even wisdom. But, today, it's just a tie-in to get a "supposed" great deal at a J.C. Penney Promotion, Wal-mart Sale, or even some outlet's excuse to unload a few truckloads of overstock junk. If only there was as much energy expended preparing today's student for the real back to school event --school!!--as there is in finding a trendy pair of sneakers.

The problem is just that. Too much today, parents equate the whole education process with their trip to The Foot Locker.

Let's start with most parents' attitude towards the teacher. It's very similar to their attitude towards a shoe salesman. The thought is, "You are here to serve me. and buddy, I am gonna keep you running." Back and forth, back and forth. Like frazzled serfs in a royal society, the teacher, like the shoe salesman is expected to simply subject and subject with cowering. There is rarely any real respect for any work, training or devotion that almost all teachers posess. I get it, teachers know nothing because their years of drinking and partying in college were not as intellectually beneficial as the typical parents' years in college, drinking and partying.

Also, the attitude tends to be, "You are lucky I am giving you my business at all." "Goodness, you don't even have to work a full time job like real people, you should be grateful you are in my presence!!" And is it ironic that the expected geographic location is in front and below; on the knees? And, I'm talking about the teacher.

And what if the customer-parent is not satisfied? "Get me the manager!!" Or, in this scenario, "Let me speak to the principal." We have become so spoiled in our society, we will demand to see the manger if the saleman's acne doesn't spell out "Thankyou for shopping K-Mart." This disposition is projected to situations in education too.

So reveals a foundation of a problem. At the shoe store, when there is a difficulty or conflict, the manager arrives apologizing; begging forgiveness for the ineptitude of the lowly salesman. Principals react too much the same. Unknown to many, this is the most common prediction made by the Psychic Friends Network, "Today, a store manager or school principal will demean a perfectly innocent employee for your satisfaction."

And what of the shoe store assistant manager or the school vice-principal? They get the least respect of all. Think about it, they have no hands-on dealing in the matter and they can't make any executive decisions. Most customer-parents look at them as about as impotent as a referee in professional wrestling or, a referee in professional boxing at least.

Don't get me wrong, I am not interested in serving the rights of the shoe salesman. I will let the teamsters do that. The union would probably cause a shoe strike; resulting in months and months without pay, just so the salesman can gain something as critical as mandatory store sock sanitizers.

I would though, like to see respect for our educational systems (or at least its workers) change. More parents should see themselves as participants in the education process, not consumers. Giving, hard earned, bureaucratically exploited tax dollars is not enough. Our school systems need partners, not patrons. It's not about money, it's about support. Our educators need parents that assist by "pitching in." Teachers and principals don't need any more advice or complaining. That;s about as abundant as yawns at a John Tesh Concert.

Shoes and shopping are about money and sure, that's what makes this country fun. Schools make this country smart.

Billy Murphy -- 8/14/97