"We are to prepare children for the future".
While preparaing to become a teacher I heard this often. It can be tricky at times only because the future is uncertain. We're not absolutely sure what kinds of jobs will be around when kids grow up. We're not quite sure what kinds of societal problems will unveil themselves.
So we move along the best we know how, anticipating the future, keeping up on the latest technology, and having discussions amongst our peers. All in the name of preparing our students for the future.
I have had the pleasure of being a co-leader for Student Council for the past 10 years. It's is fulfilling on many levels. One of those levels is the opportunity I have to teach children about the political process.
Our local, state and national government has been set up very carefully by those who founded them. A system of checks and balances, of a government "of the people, by the people, and for the people", of elections that allow those who are qualified, under The Constitution, to run for office.
Student Council, although a simplified version of our american governement, does, in my opinion, provide valuable lessons for students in terms how our governement works.
A system of Check and Balances: Student Council has a president and vice-president (our Executive Branch), we have Miss Brook & myself (The Legislative Branch), and we have our School Principal and office staff (The Judicial Branch). Our Executive Branch makes sure things are running smoothly, brings new ideas (initiatives) to our school, and consults with the other "branches". Our Legislative Branch create rules and regulations to ensure a smooth running Student Council experience. Our Judicial Branch interprets our objectives and plays a deciding role in what can and cannot be carried out.
"Of the people, by the people, & for the people": All officers and room representatives are elected to their office by their peers. In terms of officers (Coresponding Secretary [3rd grade], Recording Secretary [4th grade], Treasurer, Vice-President, & President [5th grade]) they can only be elected to the office once during their Lincoln School career; thereby there is a "term-limit" built into the system. The same student, however, may hold each office in each respective grade level as they progress through the grades.
Room Reps, which are akin to State Representatives, can be elected school year after school year as there are no term limits (State Reps serve two-year terms but there is no term limit). Each Student Council Room Rep, however, only serves 1/2 of the year...because there are two reps per room per year (allowing for more students to enjoy the experience).
Qualifications under The Constitution: There are specific qualification one must possess to hold local, state, or national offices. One of which is being a US citizen. Student Council follows suit. The only qualification is that the students running for Student Council must be "citizens" of Lincoln School...which of course, includes every student. Equality in oppportunity.
While we cannot predict the future, we can, to some degree of certainty, feel comfortable that the government system in our country will remain basically unchanged over time...it was set up that way. With this in mind, we can confidently teach our children about the realities of politics and how our great country operates on a governmental level...not only teach them but give them real world experiences. It may not mirror the "real" system exactly but it comes quite close, and for that I am thankful.
Copyrighted material of Michael C. Casten
While preparaing to become a teacher I heard this often. It can be tricky at times only because the future is uncertain. We're not absolutely sure what kinds of jobs will be around when kids grow up. We're not quite sure what kinds of societal problems will unveil themselves.
So we move along the best we know how, anticipating the future, keeping up on the latest technology, and having discussions amongst our peers. All in the name of preparing our students for the future.
I have had the pleasure of being a co-leader for Student Council for the past 10 years. It's is fulfilling on many levels. One of those levels is the opportunity I have to teach children about the political process.
Our local, state and national government has been set up very carefully by those who founded them. A system of checks and balances, of a government "of the people, by the people, and for the people", of elections that allow those who are qualified, under The Constitution, to run for office.
Student Council, although a simplified version of our american governement, does, in my opinion, provide valuable lessons for students in terms how our governement works.
A system of Check and Balances: Student Council has a president and vice-president (our Executive Branch), we have Miss Brook & myself (The Legislative Branch), and we have our School Principal and office staff (The Judicial Branch). Our Executive Branch makes sure things are running smoothly, brings new ideas (initiatives) to our school, and consults with the other "branches". Our Legislative Branch create rules and regulations to ensure a smooth running Student Council experience. Our Judicial Branch interprets our objectives and plays a deciding role in what can and cannot be carried out.
"Of the people, by the people, & for the people": All officers and room representatives are elected to their office by their peers. In terms of officers (Coresponding Secretary [3rd grade], Recording Secretary [4th grade], Treasurer, Vice-President, & President [5th grade]) they can only be elected to the office once during their Lincoln School career; thereby there is a "term-limit" built into the system. The same student, however, may hold each office in each respective grade level as they progress through the grades.
Room Reps, which are akin to State Representatives, can be elected school year after school year as there are no term limits (State Reps serve two-year terms but there is no term limit). Each Student Council Room Rep, however, only serves 1/2 of the year...because there are two reps per room per year (allowing for more students to enjoy the experience).
Qualifications under The Constitution: There are specific qualification one must possess to hold local, state, or national offices. One of which is being a US citizen. Student Council follows suit. The only qualification is that the students running for Student Council must be "citizens" of Lincoln School...which of course, includes every student. Equality in oppportunity.
While we cannot predict the future, we can, to some degree of certainty, feel comfortable that the government system in our country will remain basically unchanged over time...it was set up that way. With this in mind, we can confidently teach our children about the realities of politics and how our great country operates on a governmental level...not only teach them but give them real world experiences. It may not mirror the "real" system exactly but it comes quite close, and for that I am thankful.
Mr. Casten
Oct. 11, 2013
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