Why I Should Run for Congress-

Why I Should Run for Congress-

by Dr. Frank Rudnesky

@DrFrankRud

FrankRudnesky@linwoodschools.org 

 

Because I am a father, husband, and middle school principal, my time is precious as I balance all of my roles. Everyone has valuable time and opportunity cost to that time. However, when I visit the classes at Belhaven Middle School, I cannot help but ponder a number of topics. Two of my main topics are renewable energy and education. 

For example, this year’s Teacher of the Year, Pete Davis, inspires me just as he inspires his students. One of the many class projects in his STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) class includes eighth graders inventing, designing, and building renewable energy creations. The end products are extraordinary. 

The projects are amazing for several reasons. One component of the grading rubric is that the contraptions actually generate energy. For instance, last week I saw a see-saw hooked to a bicycle that generated twelve volts of energy. Another project used a Lego design and small toy generator hooked to your leg to create enough power to light a bulb. 

I could describe literally dozens of classroom units that would make the average person excited about the teaching and learning process in our school. Through a grant from our education foundation, Mr. Davis acquired tablet PCs and a 3D printer. One project included a mechanical hand created by an eighth grader that may actually be used by a child that does not have a real hand. Wow!

Another phenomenal project- based learning opportunity occurs in a sixth grade related arts class called the Invention Contest. This outside the box thinking allows the students to eradicate barriers then throw away the box. At this level, most students do not yet have the math and science background that they achieve by eighth grade but they do have ideas! 

I am always intrigued by the minds of these students and teachers I see on a daily basis. Their thought process is always in an invention mode. They are only held back when we put them in a box to stifle their creativity. We should never smother them with the over testing and under teaching that the state department of education requires. 

We need to free their minds as they develop our future. I will take a passionate teacher on my team any day. Granted, we need and we do and use data to drive certain decisions and planning. However, passion beats data every time. Enthusiastic teachers make connections and create opportunities that inspire higher levels of teaching and learning. 

“The worst form of identity theft you can have is to reduce a child to a test score.”

- Stephen Covey

In seventh grade, the students in STEM class research, design, test, build, and race dragster cars. During one lesson, we invited a former, formula and NASCAR driver to talk to the students. During the marking period, he built his own car to race against the students. I will not mention his name because a few students beat his race time.

So, my platform for Congress would be education and renewable energy. If eighth graders can come up with alternate, viable, and accessible sources of energy then why can’t the government make it affordable? Why do we pay $3.50 for a gallon of gas? If we can build a laptop with a windup generator for third world countries why can’t we build an affordable solar panel? I bet middle school students can figure out the answers.

In education, we have created a billion dollar business for test makers. We need to stop the over testing and under teaching. We need to stop comparing schools to test scores but compare them to creating whole children that are ready for the world we live in. 

So as a civics lesson, look for my name on the ballot in November. My chances to win are slim to none but you have to admit I have a legitimate platform inspired by the school where I work.