After reading several articles recently about the state’s
report card and the schools being ‘rated’ and how people are bashing the
educational system, my teacher mentality has kicked in.
Teachers I know work hard for the money they earn. Most
are at school early or stay late (or both). Most carry a stack of papers home
with them which need graded once their own family has been fed, the laundry has
been started, the next day’s activities have been arranged and hopefully a few
minutes of ‘quality’ time spent on their own family. THEN, the grading begins.
Most spend money out of their own pocket to buy classroom items that the
school’s budget doesn’t deem necessary. Most are passionate about learning and
go above and beyond to find a way to reach all the students in the classroom,
searching and researching to find a ‘new’ way to present the information for
the 10th time so ALL kids understand.
Schools are changing, society is changing, the world we
live in is changing, and our communities are changing. But not all these
changes are for the better. In my childhood (back in the prehistoric eraJ), parents taught children a plethora of
things before even starting kindergarten. Many of today’s children do not have
that advantage. Many of today’s children are not introduced to the simple idea
of having books in the home, which is shocking to me. Many of today’s children
are living at or below the poverty line. Many of today’s children come to
school hungry. Many of today’s children have to deal with drugs and alcohol
issues in the home. The last thing these kids concentrate on is how to write a
good sentence when all they are thinking about is what the day will be like
when they get home. These aren’t issues that only affect the kids in the ‘big
city’. These are things that affect kids of all ages, in all areas of the
state, regardless of the size of school they attend. Teachers are well aware of
the social issues kids deal with and yet they show up every single day, knowing
that these kids depend on them; knowing these kids have very few things that
are constant in their lives; knowing that regardless of how the lesson plan
goes that day, the students know that tomorrow morning, the teacher will be
waiting for them in the classroom; ready to start another hopeful day of
learning.
I understand that things have changed. It’s a sign of
the times I suppose. But when I hear someone talking about a 4th
grade student who is reading at a 2nd grade level and I hear them
say that child is failing, I want to think of it as a success because that
student is lucky enough to walk through the doors of the school and has a
chance at an education. I want to think that there is a teacher who is
passionate about the chance to reach out to that student and hopefully make the
smallest difference in his life. I also
know from experience that a teacher keeps a little piece of each student that
passes through their classroom regardless of their academic success.
So for all the teacher’s out there, I say a sincere
THANK YOU for continuing to give our kids a chance. You may never know the
impact you are having on a child so keep up the good work!!
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