The Random House Dictionary defines the word “common” as, “belonging equally to an entire community.” It is further defined as, “general, ordinary; of mediocre or inferior quality.”

It is fitting that “the common curriculum” is the name of the web-based Bellevue district curriculum that is being justifiably opposed by teachers. By striving for common, we are denying our children and teachers the experience of excellence in the classroom.

All of us have memories of a fantastic teacher who influenced our lives. For me it was Mr. Harney at Sammamish High school who one day limped into class as Teddy Roosevelt—complete with costume and accent, or brought us to tears with a slide show of soldiers in Vietnam set to a Billy Joel tune, or held McCarthy trials in the classroom, pinning student against student.

By using his individual voice as a teacher and creating lessons specifically for us, he forever changed my feelings toward American history.

Each teacher brings his/her own strengths and life experiences to bear in teaching/influencing their students. With this web-based curriculum (or the time involved in jumping through hoops to get around it) the Bellevue School District effectively is forcing teachers to replace extraordinary with common.

Leslie Hirt Marckx

Bellevue