To the editor:
I spent 34 years as a public school educator in Gloucester and other Massachusetts school districts.
To say that my heart and soul is in public education is an understatement. Every school and district that hired me as a teacher, principal and director was a wonderful experience working with educators who believed and practiced children first.
I am not saying that all was perfect. The nature and dynamics of life is often about compromise and giving up to get, particularly in the public sector during tough economic times. Overall, though, in Massachusetts, our public school professionals, paraprofessionals and officials do a great job.
After retiring in 2005, I worked at the college level for two years and even did a few interim principalships. Then, I was offered the opportunity to lead a small independent school on Cape Ann.
For me, choice is as central to our freedom as a free education is to our constitutional rights. Within the limits of the law, I respect every parent's decision to choose and create the opportunities they believe will best meet their children's strengths and needs.
Small classrooms, multi-age learning, community partnerships and less bureaucracy are conducive to individualization, teamwork, community collaboration, efficiency, happiness and success.
I loved being a public school principal and I love being the headmaster of an independent school. The freedom to choose works for adults as well as children.
Robert Teel
Essex
The writer is headmaster of Eastern Point Day School in Gloucester and a retired public school principal.
