I recently saw some statistics that show teachers think schools and classrooms may not be the best environments for learning. Nearly a quarter (23.6%) of public school teachers say college success will elude most of the students at the school they teach. Over a quarter (28%) say the parents of the students at their school are not supportive, and 12.5 percent of teachers say their school is not a safe place, according to a survey sponsored by the National School Boards Association. But what does all this mean?

I think everybody involved in a child’s education has to do a better job in creating a safe and positive environment in the classroom. Parents and guardians need to best prepare the kids for school. In turn, administrators and teachers need to stay positive and pay attention to things that may be disruptive forces so they can do their job of preparing students to go on to the next level.

Of course, this is easier said then done. I fear kids today are not coming to school ready for learning, resulting in a feeling of an unsafe environment, and overall pessimism for the future. We do our best with products like Reading A–Z, which can put books in the hands of every child, but it takes a collective effort from the community to teach the next generations.