'What the hell are we doing?'

'What the hell are we doing?'
by Scott Lewis
Voice of San Diego
Sept. 2, 2015

That's what Assemblywoman Shirley Weber asked in April in an impassioned speech in Sacramento as she faced the fact that her bill to create meaningful teacher evaluations was pushed aside.

We're at an important moment in local education. Some schools are failing their neighborhoods. How do we recruit, retain, evaluate and support great teachers for all students?

"If we are not about the business of improving the lives of children, in multiple ways, then what the hell are we doing?" Weber asked.

We can't assume that some are lost because of their circumstances.

"If children are defined by their current circumstances of poverty, and we don't think we can change the trajectory of their lives by great teaching, then what are we doing? It impacted my life. I'm a kid raised in the projects of Los Angeles, the Pueblos, some of the poorest communities of Los Angeles. But I had great teachers. I value teachers. ... I know what the power of good teaching does," Weber said.

If you care about schools and teachers, you will want to hear Shirley Weber talk to me about them.

Listen to her story and the conversation it provokes. You can email questions to me now at scott.lewis@voiceofsandiego.org or by replying to this email.

You're not going to want to miss this conversation. Tickets are free. RSVP now.

One Voice at a Time with Shirley Weber

Tuesday, September 15
7:00 - 9:00 PM
Creative, Performing and Media Arts School
5050 Conrad Avenue | San Diego, CA 92117

Click here now to reserve your free ticket.

Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Modern Mexican cuisine from Salt + Lime food truck will be available for purchase beginning at 6:00 p.m.