In her book Wally’s Stories, Vivian Paley tells the story of a kindergarten class discussing the tooth fairy. One child says, “My family does not believe in the tooth fairy; my mom just gives me money when my tooth falls out.” The teacher asks the child, “What does your mom do with your tooth? Why is it worth money?” The child responds, “Oh that’s obvious, my mom takes the tooth and sells it to the tooth fairy for real gold.” This inconsistency does not faze the child.

Early childhood education is a profession full of seeming inconsistencies. We are entrusted with society’s most precious treasure, yet we are paid very little for the care and education we provide. We have a research base of teaching standards, but we are pressured into using standardized tests and assessments more suited for older students.

We are asked to leave no student behind, but schools are not funded at a rate that makes this goal possible. Teachers struggle to manage these inconsistencies every day as they use their knowledge and experience to do what they know is best for children.

Gov. Mark Sanford proposes that the superintendent of education be appointed, rather than elected. Supposedly, this new system will allow the governor and chief education voice in our state to work in harmony.

As an early childhood educator, I value harmony. I spend upwards of 10 hours a day listening to the joyous sounds of preschoolers. Harmony, peace and, yes, quiet are wonderful! Yet I know that some of the children’s largest gains in development occur amid heated negotiations, the rough-and-tumble activities of the playground, and the sharing of ideas. As with children, it often takes different ideas and voices to move forward.

John Dewey, the educator who is considered by some to be the grandfather of today’s educational system, wrote: “That no man or limited set of men is wise enough or good enough to rule others without their consent; the positive meaning of this statement is that all those who are affected by social institutions must have a share in producing and managing them.”

The people of South Carolina need a superintendent of education who is independent of our governor. An elected official has the freedom and the opportunity to originate ideas, strategies, policies and budget recommendations that may or may not be in agreement with those of the governor’s office.

The superintendent of education, if an elected official, is free to perform this task with the direction of the people guiding her performance. This provides for more diverse input and greater potential to serve the children.

In April 2003, France’s Education Minister Luc Ferry, who holds an appointed position, said a ban on Muslim girls wearing head scarves “could be unconstitutional.” Just a year later, Mr. Ferry fully agrees with the man who appointed him about the need for this ban.

Mr. Ferry was appointed, and owes President Jacques Chirac his allegiance. If he were an elected official, he would have the option to strongly disagree and put the interest of children first.

South Carolina faces many challenges in education and is meeting many of them with innovative and cutting-edge solutions. Are there many inconsistencies in our education system? Yes, there are. However, the idea of electing our chief educational officer is consistent with a democratic society that thrives on creating consensus through myriad opinions.

While I am too old to believe in the tooth fairy, I do believe that having an elected superintendent of education is consistent with the mission of serving the children of South Carolina.

Rabbi Muller is director of the Columbia Jewish Day School and a doctoral student in the USC College of Education.