New Cedar Rapids superintendent should remove barriers to learning

The education of our youth is one of the most important issues facing our community today. I appreciate the opportunity to comment on the important attributes that a superintendent must possess.

Have you been in an elementary classroom lately to see the energy and enthusiasm that children exhibit? The curiosity and motivation children have to want to know more, do more, and be more. We have a responsibility to nurture that thirst for learning and desire to grow and provide opportunities to do so. We need to be advocates in creating a vibrant, competitive and accountable educational setting.

Children today enter the school system with their own unique history and experiences. Many are at risk because of poverty, mental or physical health issues, family instability, or struggles with traditional learning environments. Furthermore, the demographics of the community are already changing - to a more ethnically and culturally diverse population over the next decade. These factors can become barriers to learning and finding success. It is important that our next Cedar Rapids superintendent recognize these barriers.

Our superintendent needs to be committed to overcoming the variety of barriers the youth in our community face, encourage healthy relationships and focus the district's efforts toward the goal that every child has the same opportunity to learn and experience success. We should not allow a lack of vision or awareness to impede progress toward an equal and effective education for all children.

The Cedar Rapids School system and current superintendent have been positioning the district and teaching staff to prepare for this change in the composition and challenges children and the community face in the next decade. It is important we continue to do so, and stretch ourselves even further to get ahead of these barriers. We need to support leadership that believes every child can be successful and meet their full potential.

Our educational opportunities need to inspire our youth to experience a burning desire to want success. We are all the product of our experiences, no more, no less. We need to expand those experiences that are introduced to our youth. We need to open the world to them. We need to empower and transform our youth to rise to their full potential. We need someone who isn't afraid to break down all barriers and implement programs that will motivate all youth to want to achieve.

It is equally important that we have a superintendent who will embrace partnerships that foster engagement, collaboration and teamwork between the schools, community, business and families.

At Four Oaks, we work with youth who are vulnerable. We provide a variety of prevention and treatment services to youth in need to help them become self sufficient, productive and happy adults. We are committed to help young people realize their potential. But we cannot reach our goal in insolation. We have appreciated a strong partnership with CRCSD and Superintendent Benson, and look forward to deepening our collaboration with the next superintendent, to better educate and socially support all children in our community.

So let's expect success with all of our youth and not let any barriers get in our way. As Henry Ford said, 'Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.

' Debbie L.S. Craig is Four Oaks' Education and Employment Officer. Comments: (319) 784-2242; 5400 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 52404.