Monday, November 16, 2009
Why do we work?
I'm a teacher and after talking to a friend today I really started to wonder "why exactly do we work?". I know the generic answer is that we're making a difference or affecting the lives of America's youth, but I really wonder about that. I would love for that to be the case, but the current state of education has me believing that I'm in the classroom more as a glorified babysitter than an educator. Now granted, I go in and give it 100% everyday because that's my nature but overall the question remains. Why? Why should I give my all when the system is set up for the kids to "pass"? Why expect excellence and the kids only have to strive for mediocrity? Why be passionate, caring, encouraging and you are alone? I used to have answers to all of those questions. Now, I just feel lost. Sort of like being in a dark alley and you don't know whether to go left or right, so you just stand there for a moment waiting for something to guide you. I've seen student and parent involvement decline rapidly over my last 3 years in the classroom and it's tragic. I've seen students go from behavior problems to learning problems. The education seem to be so afraid of parents and lawsuits that they don't even take the time to get to the root of the problem that's tearing away the foundation of our education system. Instead they find the prettiest, most childish and consolatory band-aid they can to put on it until this school year passes and then we'll try again next year. The problem with that is that the band-aid hasn't been able to cover the gaping wound for sometime now and we're just now trying to find a way to deal with the bloody mess in front of us. The kids don't know what to do or how to react because they've always been told "it's going to be ok." but in reality it's not. This sweeping under the rug has left a large mound that we now have to find a way to beat back flat. That's not easy when you start to look at the stuff that has been put under there. A few examples are responsibility, accountability, resourcefulness, critical thinking, earning your keep, you reap what you sow, life isn't fair, you're not the best at everything, you're going to have to try harder/again, you mom isn't going to always be there, and many more. When those things start to get pulled from under the rug and aired out they become harder to deal with. Now that we are in the time of change and hope finally has the audacity to raise its head are we going to try to fix the problems that we have with education in this country? I sure hope so. If not, we can all sit back and watch the youth of this country go down and then shortly after we can watch our country do the same thing. I'm going to continue to do my part in the classroom and I hope you will help do your's. Let's not have more and more teachers wondering "why do we work?".
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1 comment:
I am pro teacher, I am pro public education. Based on what educators are experiencing at the hand of school districts and some parents, it appeares that we need to launch a school system that is set up and allowed to teach! A school system that is not affected by federal or state policy both are failures. We're talking about the sytem that existed before Marilyn Manson and the ACLU came into existence, that adheres to true and practical teaching which includes discipline. This country needs a return to true education that includes training those who have become parents but they'd prefer to be single! This groupnmust be made accountable for their indescretions and made to tow their lines. There are countless numbers of educators who have stepped down and away from the current sytem because of the politics that has infiltrated the system rendering it ineffective. This group is longing for a system that returns to what really works! Can you see them flocking back from retirement, professions they've gone to since leaving the classroom and getting back to what they love...teaching! We are still a relatively free country and economy. All successful businesses are based on the old adage of "find a need and fill it". There is a need to allow teachers to teach the way they know to teach. Leave out all the extras and our kids will learn more and will be able to compete with the rest of the world. Our current school system has bowed down to lawsuits and some negative parents which has rendered the system ineffective. We need to step in and be heard to change what is in place to what works....our teachers.
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