Proud Educator Even During Election Cycle Bashing

Every election cycle we hear the same thing about politicians promising to fix education and how our schools are failing. As a teacher that gives a damn about my students and 1 who is there everyday working tirelessly, I resent being the punching bags for these clueless candidates.

Those of us in education are sure not there for the incredible income that is obvious from our scant paychecks. My son who works at a diner makes more in tips than I do. We have 2 new teachers at our elementary school. 1 took a 50% cut in pay from his security job, the other made more bartending while he was in college than he does as a teacher. Pathetic!

Will more money for salaries help? No! Let me repeat that those working in our schools are not there for the money and contrary to some misguided beliefs we are not there because we couldn't do any better. Employees at your local schools are there because they believe kids are worth spending their lives teaching, raising, encouraging, molding into the successful adults of tomorrow. Loving kids for who they are and where they are is not measured on assessments. Being there when parents are divorcing, too drunk to get them to school, or halfway across the country with an internet love that is more important than sticking around with their children, can't be repayed in dollars or measured. Yet it is what school staffs do everyday.

School employees are the 1st ones to empty their pockets for kids who need a coat or to buy overpriced Boy Scout popcorn and Girl Schout cookies. Most of the decorations and a whole lot of the supplies in the classrooms come out of a teacher's dedication to provide the best for students even when it means spending her own hard earned money.

So next time you hear a political ad condemning those in the classrooms, realize that they won't be making a difference in the education and lives of our youngsters. It is the dedicated, compassionate staff at the schools who are not failing students. Their is no student turned away for having the wrong circumstances at home, the wrong intelligence quotient, or the wrong health issues. The door is open to all and they will be given a desk with their name on it and included from day 1.


 Too bad more parents and politicians don't look in the mirror to see where regard for our children's well being really breaks down. The classroom can only be held responsible for so much.


So I proudly say that I am an elementary, special education teacher and I am not failing my students. In my job, I wear several hats. All for the sake of kiddos that matter to me more than a hefty salary.

In Him,
Joyful
10-29-2010