LETTERS: Article provides hope for teachers, students
Thank you for printing such a positive article in the Viewpoints section ("Turning kids around," Oct. 4 Review-Journal). Sarah Mascioli's piece should be read by every citizen in the Clark County School District. The dedication and love of both students and the learning process are what should be in the heart of everyone who decides to teach.
As a retired English teacher myself, I know making a difference in students' lives involves seeing each one as an individual capable of achieving great goals, just as Ms. Mascioli does. Unfortunately, most of the articles written by teachers in our district are negative, complaining about the hard work and the poor pay. Anyone who goes into teaching to become pocketbook rich is in the profession for the wrong reason.
Leading the students into a love of learning, teaching them skills that will serve them well in life — such as the research projects Ms. Mascioli mentions — and knowing that too often you will go home wondering what on earth you accomplished that day but keeping the Marine motto before you always: "The difficult I will do right away. The impossible takes a little longer" — these are the goals every teacher should have. As teachers we don't always see the results of our hard work; however, it will manifest itself in society and make our world a better place.
Thank you, Ms. Mascioli, for writing such a powerful article. Your dedication, love for your students and desire to help them achieve has renewed my confidence in the local school system. Your words will live to inspire people in this valley. My prayer is that Ms. Mascioli will always keep the hope and optimism that she has now. This world needs that.
Monica Caffarella
Henderson
Training teachers
More and more, I read in the newspaper about the Clark County School District's teacher shortage ("We know it's a crisis," Oct. 9 Review-Journal). Whether the cause is lack of adequate pay, lack of qualified teachers or the exit of those who are just fed up with the system and have found other employment, a possible solution is to eliminate the need for a college degree in order to teach in our schools.
I'm sure there are a sufficient number of people who have gained the experience to teach while working in the private sector, especially seniors, who may not have completed college. I propose that a short-term course be established, perhaps at College of Southern Nevada, that would provide these folks with the knowledge to perform in the classroom. With the continuing need for teachers, this could be an inexpensive solution.
Jack Oliver
Las Vegas
New Democratic Party
Gov. Bob Miller's commentary was wonderful ("Presidential candidates ignore debt at country's peril," Monday Review-Journal). It's too bad the Democratic Party of today does not resemble the party of President John F. Kennedy.
Today's candidates are proposing more government subsidies, not less, for things such as college, income inequality, etc. And states such as New York, Illinois and California — all run by Democrats — have supersized future liabilities. We have trained our population to expect goodies from the government. We have been and are spending our children's future.
Douglas Manookian
Las Vegas
Story selection
Regarding the article on licensed brothels ("Public relations," Sunday Review-Journal), I can appreciate Nye County trying to boost its economy by promoting the world's oldest profession, but a two-page spread, starting on the front page of the Sunday paper? Please! Is the Review-Journal really that short on news?
Mary Lindsay
Las Vegas
