READIN', WRITIN' AND RANTIN'
(A TRIP INTO THE
(A TRIP INTO THE
EDUCATIONAL
TWILIGHT ZONE)
Anyone that has been acquainted with me for any length of time on here, already knows that I have two professions that I juggle. Both are important to me, both are what I consider vital jobs. The profession of flight attendant, especially after 9/11, has become a needed job where trained professionals have to be willing to literally risk their lives, sometimes at the hands of everyday passengers furious over throwing away their shampoo, to help ensure the safety of the traveling public. The days of "glamor", if they ever existed for stewardesses, is long gone. We now have to wear several hats, in what is often a thankless, but necessary job. I still love it for many reasons. I feel as if I make a difference in my own way.
The profession that is my heart though, is the one of schoolteacher. I taught school fulltime for many years. When I took a leave of absence of a few years to raise my children to school age, I always missed the classroom...but in true Kat fashion...when I went back to work, I went into something completely different. As much as I loved what I was doing, teaching always pulled at my heart. A few years ago, I made the decision to do both and went back into the classroom as a substitute teacher.
Gradually, I've been pulled back in deeper and deeper to the point of working in the schools on an almost fulltime basis. I find it fuels my soul, even when it's exhausting me. Recently, I've been offered a job that would force the decision to finally stop flying and go back into the classroom. Even though I've been battling it for years, I'm starting to think it may be time, especially given the changes I see coming full steam ahead in my life.
Like most of you, I've seen both sides of the coin. I'm a parent and am rabid about sticking up for my children, guiding them...going to bat for them when needed in their school lives. As a teacher, I see many things that most of you can't imagine during the course of a normal day. Some things that would warm your heart...some things that would chill your soul to know our society has progressed to this point and that our children are suffering the damage. I want to give you a little peek into the thoughts of someone that is trusted with guiding young lives.
Are teachers perfect? Oh heck no! For the most part, we are all feisty and outspoken...opinionated. We have strong personalities. We are often rabid and have tunnel vision when it comes to wanting the best for one of "our" kids. Just as in the business or retail world...there are those that do not belong in the classroom, that are only there to collect a paycheck and it shows. The majority are there though, because they love what they are doing. They have a passion in their hearts for helping a child realize his or her potential...for seeing that young life turn into something so vital. We care, we want to make a difference and do just that. Trust me, you have to love what you're doing or you don't last. The ones I mentioned above? The paycheck seekers? Most of them end up washing out...it is not a profession for the weak or meek.
Imagine your children when they are being told at home to do something they might not want to do, like clean their room. Can you see the eye rolls and hear the sighs or outright defiance? Keep that thought in your head and multiply it by 25 (and thank a teacher that you know HOW to multiply! :P). Add to that, some parents actually tell their children, they don't have to do what a teacher says, only their parents. (I don't think so!) Kids come into the classrooms each and every morning with 25+ different personalities. Some are tired, some are wired...some quiet...some ready to kill each other. A good majority of them have to eat breakfast at school. Some didn't get enough sleep at night or have been sent to school sick and are whiny. All of this has to be sorted out before the bell rings for the day to begin. They are all talking to you at once...yet you hear it all, delegate and sort it out. Some just need a hug or to have someone listen to them, since no one at home makes the time to do so.
The day begins and you jump right into work. Even in Kindergarten classes nowdays, there are a myriad of lessons to be learned, a fast paced schedule to get through..while actually making sure the children are retaining what you're trying to engage their minds around. Some days are easier than others...some days you feel as if you're slogging through mud. While you're teaching, you might be having announcements interrupting...kids going in and out of classes to specialized lessons or ESOL classes (for the non-English speaking students, don't even get me started on that one)...and the assorted fire drills or now the lovely school lock down drills that absolutely terrorize Elementary school children, but are necessary. For a couple of months a year, we are now required to teach them how to take a standarized series of tests that many of us disagree with in the pressure it puts on the children, not to mention they try to measure a year's worth of learning in one fell swoop...remember how "valid" those lovely SAT's were in measuring true knowledge, especially for those that don't test well?
The classroom I was in today (a 1st grade class), has the first 2 1/2 hours of the school day without a break...only work. There are no video games to babysit the kids when the teacher gets tired. It's all YOU and finding ways to capture their imagination..when it clicks, there is nothing like it. The look of wonder on the face of a child that "gets" it, is priceless. There are days where it's like beating your head against a wall though. Then at 10:32, it's time for lunch...yes, LUNCH...whether you're hungry or not. You better be there right at 10:32...not 10:30, not 10:35...or the end of the world is near. We're trying to feed 1200 kids and if the schedule is thrown off, life as we know it ends.
After lunch, this class has a 15 minute recess. By the time we hike out to the playground, it's almost time to round them up to come in...don't even talk to me about getting them all in coats they don't want to wear or the kids that show up in shorts with no coats in 20 degree weather. Back to class, more lessons. An hour or hour and a half later...it's time for specials (PE, Art, Music, or Computer), for 45 minutes. Then back to class for a last lesson in Social Studies or Science. The last 10 minutes is spent in a frantic dance of packing up to go home. Loading backpacks with work already done and more work to be done for homework...making sure they have their heads attached and double checking to see how they are all getting home when parents forget to send a note about changes in transportation...making sure notes are sent home for parents not to read half the time. The bell rings and chaos ensues for the next 15 minutes while we make SURE that all the children are safe and headed where they need to go.
After the school starts to slow down, the announcements come on from the office letting us know of meetings or duties to be done. There are stacks of papers to review and correct. The room, even when the kids clean it up...still has to be rebuilt to a degree every afternoon. Morning work has to be put out for the next day. Parents calls have to be returned, notes written...reports done to ensure there is a paper trail for any actions that have been taken in the interest of the children.
So yes...the next person that tells me teachers have it made will get an earful as usual. The next person that tells me how lucky we are to get two weeks at Christmas and the summer off, needs to stop to think. (btw...someone has to teach summer school..and with the influx of new federal testing, summer school is decidedly crowded these days). Yes..the next person I see totally disrespect those in education without having an iota of what a typical day is like in a classroom or school...much less the un-typical day...when they themselves would not be caught DEAD in a classroom for days on end with a classroom full of children...are the same ones that fuss, whine and complain about having their own children get on their nerves at home if they are bored...will hear from me. DO stay interactive in your child's education...and if something is truly wrong..make noise, get them help if they are in trouble with their learning process. Just make sure the noise is warranted, a real problem and not just incompatibility of personalities. Children need to learn that in life, there will be many people they have to learn to work with...to adapt. It too, is one of life's lessons. I know the education system is not perfect and parts of it are purely flawed...at times it frustrates the hell out of me too, both as a parent and a teacher, but it's what we have for now unless we all plan to homeschool our children. (not me, let someone else teach MY angels! :P)
Teachers are not perfect. We are mouthy. We are stubborn...we are made of stern stuff, but for the most part...we love what we do. We are dedicated. We ARE passionate. We ARE in the trenches...and trust me, with the way education and society is going these days, it's not easy most days. We have to be counselors, ambassadors, referrees, moms, nurturers, politicians, cheerleaders and still manage to teach...both lessons in education and in life.
The next time you're calling one an idiot or complaining, stop to think if YOU'D want to be the one in that classroom every single day...stop to think if you COULD be the one to do that job and how important it is. It's easy to find fault...to constantly focus on only your needs or complaints. I know that some people have horror stories about situations your children might have had...my kids have had a teacher or two along the way I would have cheerfully strangled. I know how horrible that is when it's your child and I feel for anyone that's had that situation.
Just remember the good educators far outweigh the bad ones. Try to remember that we deal with not only the distinct personalities of the children, but have to soothe or reassure 1200 sets of parents (or guardians, grandparents, partners...the family unit has changed). We deal with custody issues and criminal ones. We also have our own lives and our own children or concerns. There are days we are exhausted and rundown...mentally at the end of our rope, yet we go into the classroom and put on our happy face for those 8 hours and often bring work home. Teachers do the best we can, and most days...that's pretty darned good. We care...we love...we guide...we teach.
We make a difference. I wouldn't trade it for the world.
***I saw someone call an educator an idiot today...it fired me up, obviously. Now, while she may indeed be an idiot, when you don't see the other side and are only basing your opinion on gossip from other parents (many who have agendas or get on the mob mentality bandwagon)...when you've only seen a small slice of what might have been a tough Monday for her, and was at least a very LONG day for her...it puts me on my soapbox. *smiling sweetly*
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