Listener mail - Heather Mitchell

A few weeks ago, Michael spoke with Paul Rogers of the University of Bradford, about why military intervention in the Middle East so rarely accomplishes what is intended. That conversation prompted a letter from grade 12 high school student Heather Mitchell, who lives in Ottawa. Here is an excerpt from her letter: 

"While listening to this morning's discussion on Western intervention in the Middle East, I noticed questions such as, 'How do we change? How do we get Canadians more politically involved? How do we return to a peacekeeping role, rather than acting as a U.S. war ally?'"

Heather's plea for more discussion of world events in school, brought this from Brian Robert in Port Perry, Ontario:

"I was taken by Heather's forceful opinions about feeling unprepared to take part in issues confronting Canadians today. I have taught a senior high school course in World Issues for decades. But in a crowded curriculum, and up against a prevailing culture that emphasizes science and math above all else, this program has dwindled to just a small number of students each year. Listening to her well-written and forcefully presented opinions on the radio kind of makes me wish Heather was a student of mine."

From Laura Richardson in Maple Ridge, B.C.:

"While I appreciate Heather Mitchell's articulate and thoughtful letter, it does strike me that we are asking our schools to do the work of parents, the community and all of society. I am a high school teacher; I see my students two to three hours every week. I feel I deliver an engaging, rigorous curriculum with plenty of discussion, debate, critical questioning and the opportunity to make connections with the world. 

"Many of my students come to school prepared to take part in activities, but sadly they are not the majority. There are students who live in poverty. Their needs are basic and immediate, and I am grateful if they even attend. A large percentage of our students are international, or the children of immigrants, so they struggle with basic English. Others live with parents who are completely disengaged from their children, perhaps due to work, or because they are too caught up in their electronic lives to enjoy a family meal or to speak to each other. Add to that a stressed and under-funded system, and you will begin to understand the predicament we are in. 

"Heather Mitchell is a bright young woman who craves engagement and involvement. If she is unhappy with the level of political information in her classroom, I am sure that she would be welcome to start a club of her own. Ironically, that Ms. Mitchell is able to express herself with such eloquence and focus at her young age tells me she has indeed been exposed to the skills and ideas necessary to engage in a democratic society."

From Kevin Ryan in Ottawa:

"I am a retired chemical engineer and this past year I have been tutoring my grandson in grade 12 calculus. I am enjoying the time I get to spend with him, probably much more than he is enjoying calculus! But I wonder if our high school students would be better served if the curriculum were to devote even a small amount of time to better understanding world events and issues. In all likelihood, those events will have a bigger impact on their lives, than will Calculus."

From Jim Barlow in Tisdale, Saskatchewan: 

"Heather Mitchell deserves great praise and respect for reading her letter on The Sunday Edition April 19th. The heart of our freedoms and rights as Canadians rests with the attitudes of our youth graduating from public high schools. Would it be possible to get a copy of Miss Mitchell's letter to be used in the citizenship preparation course I will soon be teaching?"

Thank you to everyone who wrote to us. You can read Heather's letter here. (scroll down past the letters about Valentina Lisitsa!)