Educator places responsibility for children's success on everyone
|
http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2009/01/29/parents-teachers-gather-discuss-educational-issues/
|
|
Posted By: Dr. Okpara Nosakhere on February 01, 2009 Home » 2009 » 01 » 29 » emailE-mail printPrint Educator places responsibility for children's success on everyone Thursday, January 29, 2009 | 10:58 p.m. CST BY Jason Scott COLUMBIA — Educator Okpara Nosakhere outlined on Thursday what he described as some of the problems in today's educational system, calling for change not only within the schools, but at home. "We're at a time when the educational system across the country is floundering," said Nosakhere, who spoke to about 30 parents and educators at St. Luke United Methodist Church for a meeting sponsored by the newly formed Black Parents Association of Columbia Public Schools. MoreStory Related Links * Black Parents Association launches with goal of improving education Nosakhere has more than 25 years of experience as an educator. He has worked as a principal at both elementary and high schools and is now a senior consultant for Educational Management Associates, a Kansas City-based firm that helps schools develop strategies for success. Nosakhere said special education is a growing problem in schools. Children who get labeled as needing special education classes early in school develop such low self-esteem that by high school, "they don't want to be in an environment that's conducive to destruction" and drop out, he said. "Now, we're seeing special education (classes) grow and grow just like we're seeing prisons grow and grow," he said. Nosakhere said that teachers who don't know what to do with disruptive students often wash their hands of them by sending them to the office. "If there's no discipline in the school, education is out the window," Nosakhere said. This could potentially start a cycle of dysfunction in which these children are viewed as unimportant. They could slip through the cracks, but if they got the attention they needed, whether at home or at school, they could have the potential to succeed, Nosakhere said. Nosakhere said one reason that children might have trouble in school is that while learning styles have changed over the years, teaching styles have remained the same. "We know that children don't learn the same," Nosakhere said. "These children are very, very bright. They're exposed to a lot more information than we were when we were children." Nosakhere said that teachers and parents collectively have become disconnected from children's progress in school and, in some cases, lost sight of what is best for each child. Nosakhere called for parents and teachers to work together to ensure the success of all children. He said parents must hold those in charge of the schools accountable. Additionally, teachers and school board members should know parental expectations, and parents should take responsibility at home to help teachers meet those expectations, he said. In the discussion that followed his lecture, Nosakhere said everyone should take responsibility for that change. "The change doesn't start with (President Obama) — it starts with each and every one of us," Nosakhere said. "We're all in this same boat together. We either paddle in the same direction or we spin in circles." Audience member Vincent St. Omer, who was an educator before retiring in 2004, called for a return to more traditional levels of involvement within the community. "We have to get back to the village concept," St. Omer said. "If teachers know the expectations of the parents, and the parents hold them accountable, it is less likely for (them) to misbehave." If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
 |
Dr. Okpara Nosakhere
President/ CEO, www.educationalmanagementassociates.com Suny Col at New Paltz class of 1982 Member Since November 2008 |
Comments
More From This Author
Latest News
 |
Truist Partners with TMCF to Advance Leadership and Career ReadinessTruist is honored to serve as a corporate sponsor the Thurgood Marshall College Fund’s (TMCF) signature leadership experience, DevCon – Potomac, held February 18 – 22. This premier event brings ...more
Reginald Culpepper • 209 Views • February 11th, 2026 |
 |
🎤 LAST CHANCE: Earn $50 USD in the Orchid Audio Project⏰ Final Call – Registration Closing Soon
The Orchid Audio Project is almost at capacity, and this is your last opportunity to participate and earn $50 USD for a simple audio recording task.
...more
Yazmín Müller • 107 Views • February 11th, 2026 |
 |
The Memorial Day Getaway's Returns for Its 18th Annual Celebration?A Black Luxury Forward Memorial Day Experience Headlined by 2 Chainz
Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic | Memorial Day Weekend
The Memorial Day Getaway returns this Memorial Day Weekend for its 18 ...more
Reginald Culpepper • 241 Views • February 10th, 2026 |
 |
Bethune-Cookman University To Host Inauguration For Dr. Albert D. Mosley On April 14Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU) will mark the inauguration of Dr. Albert D. Mosley as its eighth president on Tuesday, April 14, marking a new era of leadership for the historic institution.
Founde ...more
Reginald Culpepper • 240 Views • February 9th, 2026 |
 |
2026 MS-CC Undergraduate Summer Research Internship✨Applications are open for the 2026 MS-CC Undergraduate Summer Research InternshipMS-CC invites undergraduate students to apply for a 10-week, paid summer research experience hosted in Nashvill ...more
David Lockett • 147 Views • February 9th, 2026 |
Popular News
 |
North Carolina HBCU Unity DayShaw University - Elizabeth City State University - Johnson C. Smith University - Fayetteville State University - Livingstone College - North Carolina A&T State University - North Carolina Central Uni ...more
Reginald Culpepper • 104,201 Views • August 8th, 2016 |
