Well, here it is. My first blog post. After reading and following several other blogs, I have decided that entering the world of blogging just might be therapeutic. Teaching is one of those careers that suffers from so many misconceptions. It is frustrating to talk with others sometimes about teaching. Why the frustration?
Teachers have been the subject of ridicule and the target of blame in the news over the last several years. While I am painfully aware that there are indeed "bad teachers" out there, most teachers I know are hard-working and caring people. These few "bad teachers" have tarnished the rest of us.
But there has been another, larger, factor that has tarnished our reputation. It's the teachers out there who do the bare minimum. You all know these teachers. They are the ones who arrive just as the duty day begins and leave at exactly the minute the duty day ends. They refuse to do anything above and beyond their contract. Papers go ungraded, lesson plans are minimal and full of busy work, there is very little rigor in their day. They often have movie days so they can use school time to grade and correct papers.
Now wait just a minute you might say. Teachers need to "work to rule" in order to convince districts, parents and government to re-evaluate teacher contracts and let the public know how much personal time is devoted to teaching.
Well, I would agree with this tactic in times of serious negotiations. I am the LAST person who wants a district to impose even MORE duties and responsibilities on my already overloaded day. Trust me! I know teachers are expected to do far more with far less these days. Let me be clear. I am NOT talking about coordinated efforts to deliver a message. I am in complete favor of that! I am talking about the teachers who, regardless of the current negotiating situation, will ALWAYS do the bare minimum because that is just their mindset. I am talking about the teachers who look at their job as just a means to make a living. They might as well be assembling widgets. There is no passion or desire to motivate, educate and inspire. I am a strong believer that our teacher unions need to do a better job at allowing "bad teachers" to be fired. Let's face it. These truly "bad teachers" are hurting us and damaging the reputation of teaching.
Did the system cause this? Did they enter the profession feeling this
way? I like to think that most teachers enter the field full of hope,
energy and dedication. I know that I felt that way. It's one of the
reasons I love going to teaching conferences and seminars. It reignites
that passion that I remember. It motivates me to try new things and
re-emphasizes the importance of my job. I work harder and, I like to
think smarter, after attending a really great conference. But
inevitably, the difficulties of the job itself, gradually wear away that
passion and drive again. The daily stresses start their damage and I
find myself searching the job postings once again in the evening.
Students know if their teacher truly cares about them. Students know if a teacher is prepared or unprepared. Students know if their teacher expects and holds them to high expectations and standards. As a result of students knowing these things, parents also know these things. As teachers, we all know the power of the parent gossip network! Reputations can sometimes be made or broken based on parent conversations. Is this fair? Of course not. Teachers need protections from unfair accusations that are based on rumor alone. But like it or not, we are making an impression on the public one way or another. We need to start being our own best marketing managers. We need to start getting people excited about what is going on in public schools. In spite of budgets and other economic struggles, somehow, someway, we have to create hope and trust once again.
Now the big question though that I wish I had the answer for. How do we
do this when there are not enough resources? How do we do this when
students increasingly arrive to school with major problems in the home?
How do we do this when there is little parental support for discipline
in the school? How do we stay motivated and energized when we are
increasingly expected to teach to a meaningless test? How do we keep
that creativity alive when we are now told exactly what we can and
cannot say or do?
Perhaps, by now, you see the need I feel for some therapy! :) I'm sure I am not alone with my frustrations. I suppose I could find another job, but would I feel that I am doing something worthwhile? Would I feel that I am making a contribution to the world?
Thankfully, there are those moments in teaching when everything seems worth it. When a former student stops by to tell you what great memories they have of their time in your class. When a student finally "gets it" and starts succeeding in an area that was difficult for them. There are those time when a parent sincerely thanks you at the end of the year and tells you what a difference you made in their child's attitude about school. These fleeting moments are what keeps me here for now. Whether I can continue to "stay the course" or not, I just don't know.
That will be $300.00 for today's session please. Thank you
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