STOP Blaming and START Talking

Public education — and public school teachers in particular — have been on the receiving end of criticism and blame for quite some time for a host of ills, many of which are beyond their control. And yet, although there has been a plethora of "experts” proposing and selling their “fixes,” the voice of the true experts on education—teachers—has been largely ignored.Let’s stop the finger-pointing and look at public education for what it is—a complex system of components and influences that must be acknowledged and factored into any substantive plan for improvement.

Tim Mullen had two prior careers before teaching: 1) as a federal civil servant with the Department of Defense (Army for 7 years), and 2) in computer software sales and management for a rapidly growing company (7 years). He has a B.S. in Environmental Resources Management, an M.S. in Public Administration, and a Ph.D. in Middle School Education. He and his wife, Loretta Mirandola, have three adult daughters. They live in Lawrenceville, Georgia.