Public Forum Letter from GEA Leader Tayler Khater

Opinion posted in today’s Salt Lake Tribune written be GEA leader, Tayler Khater. Tayler teaches Social Studies to students enrolled at Skyline High School.  He has been a GEA building representative for several years and volunteers time to teach and live a life that is politically active and socially conscientious.  Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the “Next Greatest Generation”.

Tayler Khater

"I am teaching the greatest generation. For over 10 years, I have taught both in and outside the United States, and the more I teach, the more I am convinced that the generation of students I teach really is one of the greatest generations.

There is little question that our nation currently faces a wave of political, racial and environmental tensions that increasingly separates 20th century generations in thought, action and collaboration with little promise of resolution. However, when I arrive to teach generations of the 21st century, I see a group of students who are interested in finding common ground, responsibly challenging systematic failures, questioning sources in efforts to find fact-based answers, and reaching across economic, political and racial divides to support one another in a climate of social toxicity that appears to have no end.
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I see a generation that understands the need to think beyond themselves and work to preserve the world around them via collaboration and compassion. I see a generation interested in finding solutions and leaving their communities better than how they found them. I see a generation that insists on finding a silver lining, a better way and demonstrates an almost inexhaustible empathy for their peers. What a great century, decade and year in which to teach. Well done, students of the 21st century — fight the good fight and know that you really are the greatest generation."

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