A Proposition to the Department of Education

Dear Department of Education,

As of July 2009, you took over two of my student loans. This November marks the end of my grace period and I will have to begin paying back said loans. I was wondering if the Department would be interested in different arrangement instead.

In college, I studied for and received my license to teach Life Sciences in high school and General Sciences for grades 5-8. Since you helped pay for this licensing, I believe that a more efficient way for you to earn you money back is to allow me to teach. One could argue that by being so adamant in getting your money back surrenders your insecurity on the investment you made by helping me achieve my degree. I think that it would be more beneficial to both of us if, instead, my loans be forgiven through yearly installments of Adequate Yearly Progress.

Through putting my concentration and effort into making my students the very best, I am helping the next generation of Americans achieve to the fullest extent that they can. One of the goals of your department is to “Encourage the increased involvement of the public, parents, and students in Federal education programs,” I believe that I could help do this by increasing student achievement in low-performing public schools which could help with public support in Federal Education. I want to work towards an America where there are no ‘bad’ schools to attend.

So here is my proposition: Every year that my students make AYP, the department knocks off 10% of my debt so not only that I remain in teaching for ten years, but that I remain an effective teacher for ten years. If I am unable to do this, perhaps we can go back to the monetary system that is currently set up. I’ll even say that I have to start from the beginning, with the additional interest that I undoubtedly accrued during this barter.

Now you might bring up the point that this year I will be out of country volunteering and hence will not be teaching, ergo not keeping my end of the transaction. I would ask that if you do allow for the arrangement to be made, then you let me defer this for one year and we will begin next school year. I do put in my request to work somewhere on the East Coast, but I understand that I should probably go where I am most needed. I do want to make it clear though, you don’t have the authority to tell me where to go, I can choose my placement so long as it is a public or charter school.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,



I figure at least with this benefit, it'll be easier to accept the low respect and pay I'll be receiving.