I began teaching in 1972 and retired in 2012. I still spend time substituting to keep my hand in the profession I love. Teaching was and still is my passion, but education is facing some serious issues.

As a society, we have created a generation of children who have little respect for themselves or others, have no motivation, no work ethic and a huge sense of entitlement. These students (and their parents) seem to expect teachers to work harder and harder to make sure kids succeed while they do less and less. Of course, many families send us children who have been taught to value education and accept their responsibility in determining their futures through hard work and determination, but they account for fewer and fewer members of our school populations as time passes.

Many kids come to school armed with smartphones and laptops, not for educational purposes, but to connect to game sites and social media. Learning is the last thing on their minds. How are these individuals going to support themselves, lead our nation and raise the next generation?

What has led us to this sad state of affairs? Politicians would have us believe the fault lies with our educational system. I beg to differ. Just as you cannot make filet mignon out of ground beef, schools cannot produce scholars from young people who are disrespectful, lazy, spoiled or physically and emotionally neglected. Schools are not failing our children — parents, families and our self-indulgent society are failing our children. I fear our future looks grim.

Cheryl Ellis, Monmouth

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