The experience reinforced my belief that parents are the key to Jewish education. It also convinced me that some parents will continually lock the door to Judaism, while blaming the school. I'm talking about places where lay adults have no active role in regular synagogue ritual. They have little incentive to excel, nor to continue beyond age 13. In contrast consider a synagogue where members lead the service, chant Torah and haftarah, and deliver a drasha.
Children have excellent models for active synagogue participation.
They must even train lay members to fill their places on the bimah. I can only stress the importance of rising above such concerns, and remind them that their success in this endeavor enhances both their synagogues and their careers. Show them how important this skill is. Time to polish it up. Learn it now.