Just let me teach | The Salt Lake Tribune

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Sen. Aaron Osmond, R-South Jordan, recently proposed ending compulsory education ("Utah educators question pitch to end compulsory school attendance," Tribune, July 17). Agreed!

As a teacher, I find myself chasing down students smoking joints; questioning students about stolen electronic devices; reporting signs of abuse to counselors; diffusing a parent's verbal abuse of a son or daughter; assessing the facts to determine honesty in a project or exam; and constantly reminding students of due dates.

I had a young man last year whose parents had walked a thousand miles to escape civil war. His father's leg had been shot off during a battle. Now refugees, the father explained that the main reason they're here is so their children can get a good education. Their son understood, and it showed. He worked hard, didn't complain or make excuses, and he succeeded.

Parents, I am not your kid's nanny, cop, detective, case worker, mediator, judge or secretary. I'm a science educator in the state of Utah. Let me focus on what I was trained to do: learn from, learn with, and teach your teens.

Ben Watkins

Murray