Capitalize on experience

I disagree with Rob Leach’s assumptions about education (July 18 letter). While I’m bothered by all of the absolute language and over-generalizations, I’ll focus on the comments about experience.

Nothing matches experience. But experience may be wasted if it’s not converted into something usable for advancement. The ability to reflect upon experiences is vital for promoting new thought and igniting change. This is where instruction comes in. I teach my students how to incorporate experiences to develop rhetorical agency, a skillset useful to enact change in the workforce and community.

I’m unfamiliar with the “sheltered environment void of real world experience” Leach speaks of. Most of the handy real-world experience utilized in my teaching has dirtied my hands, shaped my career, and provided practical, teachable examples that illustrate classroom theories for students.

Contrary to Leach’s belief, I’m not a Democrat but am “all for the funding of education,” in most cases, as experience shows me that the best neighborhoods in any given city will have houses containing more diplomas than televisions.

Improving America’s education means looking beyond the heavy emphasis of education only for the workforce, to see how our communities can experience the benefits.

Zach Bankston

Spokane