I guess school has been in session for about a month and most students almost have a routine: don't forget textbooks, don't be late to class because the doors will be locked, double-check homework, get money for lunch, don't raise your hand to answer questions, turn off the phone, look interested.

I remember when I had the great privilege of teaching at East Georgia State College (EGSC). I had these lingering thoughts about students waiting for some old guy who is supposed to teach college preparatory stuff and necessary skills to succeed at the college level. My ace in the hole is that I was told – by a teacher – that I was the stupidest kid she had ever met. I didn't know that I had ADHD and a touch of dyslexia. These problems were not recognized by most academics until the early 60s. When I found out what skills I lacked, I learned to study by always having a dictionary and a thesaurus, on the table and having to read the same sentence several times before moving on. Most of the students in my classes had learning problems and I planned for a lot of office meetings with those who struggled with English and math.

Since I was painfully aware of my own difficulties, I tried to identify those students who had similar shortcomings and also tried to be very patient and understanding. I wanted these young folks to know that getting an education is like working at a physically and mentally-exhausting occupation. A diploma doesn't come easily nor does the comprehension and application of most subjects.

Every time I drive past a school, I give a prayer for those teachers. These educators are a gift from God. They have spent the greater part of their lives preparing for and sacrificing every moment of their free time for the right to teach. I read recently, "One of the most common and pressing classroom challenges for teachers is the fact that some students are not receiving adequate support outside of the classroom."

That speaks loudly! Teachers are sometimes seen as disciplinarians, substitute parents, politicians and representatives of tribalism. I had best define tribalism from my point of view. I mean social tribalism, which is loyalty to one group, and has very negative feelings for those outside the chosen group. An education is more than expertise such as identifying a dangling participle or the subjunctive case or solving an Algebra problem by using the old PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction) device.

An education is preparing that student for life in a world outside the safety of the classroom.

For every parent out there who wonders what kind of an education their child is receiving, let me give you this blessing. Our teachers are good, kind and hard-working men and women who are in the profession because God has called them to teach. However, education is a two-way street. Students must want to learn and parents must have the fortitude to never quit ragging on their children to do their homework first and play second. We parents must never assume that our schools will take over what we have failed to provide in our homes.

Our nation and our future depend upon our children, who must have the best education we can provide.

May God bless us all as we prepare our future citizens!

Thanks, God!