Visit a school

Regarding John Axtell’s letter (“Education funded wrong,” June 4) suggesting that we should not educate illegal and ESL students. I would like to invite him to visit the ESL room at Ferris High School. I am a retired special-ed teacher and have also served as a substitute . I am very familiar with what our schools are up against.

I would gladly arrange a visit and accompany Mr. Axtell any time. I know that he will feel differently about how “outmoded our education system is” if he just took a good look.

Yes, the system is not perfect, and it can always be improved; but the teachers are performing miracles with such challenging and diverse kids.

I would ask Mr. Axtell to open his eyes to see that this planet is fragile and the people on it need to take care of each other for us all to survive – that means everyone (legal or illegal, English speaking or not). May I remind Mr. Axtell that we are all descended from immigrants?

Educating our children who want to make our country their home will create productive citizens which is crucial to our becoming a loving, compassionate, safe country. Love is the answer, not hate.

Mary Naber

Spokane