Vol 48 Iss 1 Oct 22 2019

Alutant October 22, 2019
23
The Extinction of Resilience
Mr. Hodges’ Take on Modern Education
McKenzie Bandy
Staff Reporter A
Feature
Walking into David Hodges’
classroom shortly before
the close of the second day of
school certainly surpassed expectation
on what was originally
set up as an in-depth
‘who teachers really are’ interview.
Instead, Hodges gave
thoughtful perspective on
what it’s like to view education
from the opposite side of the
whiteboard - and given Hodges’
position as a seasoned educator
of over forty years, he
had a lot to say on how education
throughout his professional
years has evolved, and
not necessarily for the better.
W h e n
asked what
significant
changes
in education
had
taken
place in his years of teaching,
Hodges was quick to
point out flaws in the way
students in the 21st century
are perceiving success.
“The problem is, is that too
many students are told to get
A’s and everything will be easy.
But it’s not. Life’s not easy.”
This comment led into
Hodges’ belief that students aren’t
trying as hard in academics
as they have in past years, and
current education has only proceeded
to lower the standards
in order to adapt to this change.
Hodges defended his point
with the mention of an ever-dwindling
student population
in Ellensburg High School’s
Advanced Placement (AP) programs.
Ultimately, it’s his belief that
the downgrading, or “watering
down” of education today in order
to make students feel more
successful, isn’t helping this
change in student attitude, and
may even be encouraging it.
Educators’ responses may
hold a vital role in providing
quality learning material and
experience for
students, experience
that
could ensure
true success in
students’ current
and future
academic
careers.
Hodges
EHS
Teacher
Features
depicted this change of pace
in today’s education by describing
the change in his own
classrooms. For example, the
material that he now presents
to his advanced chemistry students
(a small class only held
during zero period) is similar
to content that he would’ve
taught in his basic chemistry
classes in past years.
Hodges remarks that he
wishes he could hand out more
difficult tests, or have the ability
to present a greater number
of in-depth lectures than what
he teaches today. He fears that
in not doing this, the majority
of his students will receive less
favorable grades in result of
not rising up to the academic
challenge.
“Education is the most important
thing there is,” Hodges
emphasizes, stating that what
goes on within schools is only
a “mirror of society.”
With Hodges’ take on the
course of today’s education,
perhaps it’s time to spare our
society a longer glance.
Hodges teaching his second period
chemistry class.