Above is a Wordle representing President Obama’s State of the Union 2011. As I look at this, I can’t help admiring the prominence of words like new, America and future. A fresh vision of the future is what drove me to vote for President Obama 2 years ago.

I am saddened and disappointed that words like schools, students and children are all but invisible in the overall vision, however. Our children need decisive leadership that encourages talented and caring educators to spend their lives enriching and changing young lives. How will that happen? I wonder if it can in the current system, current atmosphere.