Making the Sacrifice: I know that by my title you may think that I am going to write about something extremely profound; yet, it is profound to me - TEACHING!
I have noticed over the last few weeks that the lack of faith in teachers seems to be increasing at a time that we need it more than ever. Teachers don't teach because it is an easy job, pay is great, stress free, etc. We teach, because it is a calling. It is a calling for change. To make the world of education better each and every year. Just like doctors, the good ones continue their training year to year. Don't forget about the weeks of classes we attend over the summers. But wait, there is more. Most teachers I know go back to school before the air is even turned back on to start the year of planning, organizing, and decorating. We revive our brains for a few short weeks during the summer, yes, but we come back renewed and better every year. There are always exceptions to this rule, but for the most-part, we teach to better your children and my own.
Talk about being behind other nations as far as smarts go - Well, do those other countries educate every student? No, they are sent to be day-laborers at early ages. Do those other schools worry about the whole child and not just the grades? No, they are worried about productivity. Do they worry about the "special children" or learning disabilities or health impairments? The U.S. even educates immigrants who come to us. We feed them, provide supplies for them, transport them, remediate for them, and love them wherever/however they come to us. Teachers teach the unwanted, damaged, bright, and shining. We try to provide a stable, safe place to go to everyday, so that our students have a chance to survive in the big, bad world.
Have you thought about what the lack of educational faith is doing to the educators who are with your kids daily? I have noticed over the last year that at least 3 of my coworkers are getting divorces. This can't have anything to do with a stressful, thankless job. Seriously, put an unhappy teacher in front of your children and see if they learn anything! I think people forget that our work stresses bleed off of us, just like they do to anyone else. Unfortunately, we have contact with 100+ students daily. Now tell me that your bureaucratic decisions are not hurting people! Yes, the rest of us may have jobs, but will the conditions of those jobs be worth it?
Yes, Mr./Mrs. Congress Person - Don't stop funding education, because the people you are letting down are not teachers - but the kids, their futures, and our futures as a society. Think before you vote against an education bill, because you are really voting against ours/your futures. Every child has a teacher at some point in their lives that make a difference; by taking away that passion with the lack of confidence, you are taking away their futures, my children's futures.
Okay - Soap Box ended!
Oh my! So, you aren't just a little passionate about this topic are you? I know and understand exactly what you are talking about! That is why Jeremy left a very profitable small business of ours..he felt the calling to teach. Now, we are much less profitable but much more profitable & productive in so many more ways. Ways that matter. But, what you are speaking of is also why we have chosen to send them to a private Christian school. Yes, there are stil issues and problems but they can be handled in a different matter and the basis of the teachers is more specific and there isn't any government involvemet. It is also one of the reasons why we have chosen to more recently homeschool the younger ones. Even in a private school environment there are things that happen that are beyond the parents control. At home we can prepare them for some of the things they may encounter in this messed up world and they can hopefully become the change that is needed. I am blessed to have the opportunity to stay home. I applaud you, Jeremy & each and every teacher that leaves their families each day to go to the unknown in their classroom. Children in every school are living in some terrible situations at home and teachers may be the only light they see. Keep up the soap box because I for one, am loving it!
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