Latest news with #Bill765
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Watching, waiting and wondering about West Virginia's teacher shortage
Gov. Patrick Morrisey held a ceremonial bill signing for Senate Bill 765, which establishes a Troops to Teachers program on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at Hedgesville Middle School in Hedgesville, (West Virginia Office of Gov. Patrick Morrisey | Courtesy photo) As a former educator at the high school and college levels, my interest in public and private and collegiate avenues of acquiring knowledge through education remains steadfast, even though I no longer teach; instead, I write books and commentaries that I hope will not only resonate with my readers but make a difference (however slight) in the way they see the world around them, asking, 'What can I do? What will my contribution be to minimizing the escalating concerns that plague educational institutions and the teachers who deliver that knowledge?' And if all we do is look at the overwhelming task, we've already been defeated in answering those questions. Yes, the issues are countless and to tackle any single one of them is a monumental task. Still, we can take that thousand piece puzzle and break it down, one piece at a time or better still, put it together one piece at a time. As I read of education's global concerns, I also make certain to read of what is happening in my own backyard, from what the new administration didn't do this past legislative session for students and schools and teachers to what they did do: school vaccines, for instance. The powers that be continue to push aside the very real teacher vacancies that continue to escalate. Recently, Amelia Ferrell Knisely reported that Gov. Patrick Morrisey signed a bill creating 'Troops to Teachers,' in an attempt to address West Virginia's teacher shortage, a program that aims to put veterans in the classroom. He called the program a 'common sense solution.' Let's remind ourselves that one reason for the teacher shortage in West Virginia is low teacher pay, compared to surrounding states. Until that discrepancy is remedied, the exodus of teachers in West Virginia will continue to rise. And the multi-leveled, arduous journey for these veterans to become certified teachers might reach beyond common sense. In fact, there's a bit more to it than that. George Bernard Shaw is credited with the phrase, 'Those who can, do; those who can't, teach.' In fact though, it was Aristotle who first said, 'Those that can, do; those that understand, teach.' There's a world of difference between the two sentiments. Shaw suggests that teachers are those who don't know or haven't learned their discipline. It's absurd, and my suggestion would be to not repeat those words to an educator. Let's be clear: teachers are highly skilled and experienced in their fields, with strong communication, interpersonal and pedagogical skills. The profession involves planning, delivering lessons and assessing student learning. It's a teacher's ability to articulate and explain complex concepts clearly, not simply perform a task, that educates and enlightens. And if we, as students, are very fortunate, it is those very teachers who choose that profession in order to share their knowledge and passion with us that catapult us to our highest heights, giving us every possible opportunity to excel and succeed. I'm often asked why, in my commentaries, do I never offer a solution to a problem. Why do I focus only on the human factor? My answer never changes. I hone in on the human factor because I'm a humanist, because if I didn't stay true to my core, then I would in fact be doing a disservice to those high school and college and graduate school professors who made certain that my liberal arts education was as well-rounded as they could impart. And until each and every one of us recognizes and prioritizes this undeniable truth, we cannot begin the journey to heal the wounds that scar each of us. Too, I will not disrespect my teachers or myself by even putting forth a viable solution to problems for which I'm not qualified. Are you following me? I know that Harvard University is under the spotlight right now, but I've always maintained that my West Virginia education could stand with pride alongside any other respected institution of higher learning. There are countless individuals (particularly those occupying offices of power) who can and must implement programs and support educators to make certain that not only I can continue to speak those words of praise but that every learned student to follow me can say them with pride as well. There's a great line from the movie 'Cold Mountain,' when an aged woman who lives isolated in the mountains kills a goat in order to help an escaped soldier heal: 'Bird flies somewhere, picks up a seed, [expels] the seed out, plant grows. Bird's got a job, [seed's] got a job. And you've got a job.' Can we please — each of us — do our job, rather than being so self-absorbed and concerned with who gets credit for what. As elementary as it may sound, let's work together. It's the only way progress moves forward. Who cares who gets credit? Shouldn't the only thing that matters be that the job got done? SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Maggie aldermen oppose bill that would slash local control over development
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways May 7—MAGGIE VALLEY — A bi-partisan bill swiftly making its way through the General Assembly that would allow developers to sue individual local officials for zoning decisions and eliminate density and minimum lot size requirements has drawn the opposition of the Maggie Valley Board of Alderman. So much so that the board of alderman voted 3-1 to pass a resolution opposing the legislation just 90 minutes before a key House committee was set to debate the issue Tuesday afternoon. House Bill 765 would make major changes to zoning and land use regulations that opponents say would take the development decision making powers way from local governments. Proponents of the bill say that the legislation will make it easy for people to gain affordable housing. "Provisions within this legislation would be contrary to the will of the vast majority of Maggie Valley residents and would severely diminish or eliminate the ability of local government to determine what is best for its community or even allow community input or involvement in the decision-making process," part of the resolution reads. Mayor Mike Eveland and Aldermen John Hinton and Jim Owens supported the resolution that opposes the bill. Alderman Phillip Wight voted against it. Alderman Tim Wise did not attend Tuesday's meeting, but Owens told the board that Wise was 100% in support of the resolution. Maggie Valley Planning Director Sam Cullen told aldermen Tuesday morning that the proposed legislation would take away the town's ability to have minimum density and lot size requirements. The bill also would eliminate design standards, vegetation buffer requirements and parking, street design and setback standards. "There is a ton in the bill," Cullen said. "This bill would take the say away from the local board and give it to the state." As currently written, the legislation would also open up local elected officials and volunteer planning board and zoning board officials to personal legal liability for the zoning decisions they make. "In other words, if you make a decision on a development approval, the aggrieved party will sue you (aldermen) and not the town of Maggie Valley," Cullen said. Alderman John Hinton voiced strong opposition to the legislation saying, "this is not the direction we want to head." He called the provision opening up individual alderman and planning and zoning board members to civil liability "crazy." "We sure don't need civil liabilities on us," Hinton said. "Who are you going to get to run?" State Rep. Jeff Zenger, R-Forsyth, told the House Housing and Development Committee on Tuesday afternoon that the bill is designed to make housing more affordable for first-time homebuyers. "Home ownership is supposed to be the first rung of economic success in this country," Zenger said. "We've got it now where you have to start off on the fourth rung. Go home and put a ladder up and try and start on the fourth rung. It is very, very difficult."
