Most people have strong opinions about childcare, education, and the school system in general. After all, ensuring that children are supported, protected, and taught well during the most important years of their lives is something everyone cares about. Still, few people critique the system as boldly as a retired teacher who went viral a few years back.
Lisa Roberson, the former teacher, wrote an open letter that was published in the Augusta Chronicle in 2017. Her words sparked a heated debate about whether parents or teachers are truly responsible for the problems people see in today’s schools. It’s worth noting that her letter was written before the pandemic and before major reforms were introduced to keep education functioning during COVID—a time that brought its own wave of mixed opinions about how schooling should work.
In her letter, Roberson argues that parents—not teachers—are the real issue. “As a retired teacher, I’m tired of people who know nothing about public schools deciding how to fix our education system,” she wrote. “Teachers aren’t the problem. Parents are the problem. They’re not teaching their children manners, respect, or even basic social skills.”
She pointed out that many students arrive at school wearing expensive shoes yet don’t bring basic supplies like pencils or paper—items teachers often end up paying for themselves. Roberson urged people to look at what’s happening at home when evaluating so-called “failing schools.” Are parents attending school events? Do they communicate with teachers? Do they make sure their kids have the supplies they need, complete their homework, and show respect in class?
According to her, the answer often is no—and that’s where the problem starts. Teachers, she argued, cannot do their jobs and the parents’ jobs at the same time. Nothing will change, she said, until parents take responsibility for their part.
Her letter caused quite a stir and raised questions that many people still debate today. What do you think—are parents mostly at fault, or does the responsibility fall on teachers? Share your thoughts in the comments.