An Incredible Thing Happened Today...

Today was the last meeting of my fifth grade math club. During this last meeting, a student came up to me and thanked me. He said that he really enjoyed being part of it, and had a great time. I then thanked him for being part of the club, and I thanked him for allowing me to get to know him, as I did not have him in fourth grade. We both smiled, and it was a sincere smile for both of us. It was a bit bittersweet, as we both genuinely enjoyed getting to know each other. It was an incredible moment that I will hold on to in order to get through the tough times.

This is why I teach.

It Is What It Is....

Sometimes it seems that no matter how hard we try, we can't make our point. Teachers layoffs are happening all over the country, while mandates and standards are putting more and more of a strain on our education system. I wish that I had better news to speak about, but sadly, I do not. Perhaps in another few months things will be better, but for now I can't see the education system improving as a result of losing so many great educators and putting even more pressure on those of us that remain.

You teach? Seriously?

Turning on the television or news website and the latest "media attention" seems to be teachers. Several state and local government leaders have targeted unions as the evil force against the suffering middle class and, if you want to get to the more specific scourge, educators. Teachers make too much money. Administrators make too much money. They all have part time jobs. They don't work hard. They only take the job to have summers off. They are untouchable once tenured. Seniority ensures that we will always have terrible teachers and newer, more capable teachers will never have a chance to get into the profession. Each of these stereotypes (and outright lies) are disgusting, yet too many people allow them to continue. The only reason to perpetuate these (in the media no less) is to encourage (manufactured) jealously and push attention to this issue and distract us from other (really) important issues. It's either this or what is happening with Charlie Sheen. Politicians such as NJ Governor Christie, NY Governor Cuomo, and NYC Mayor Bloomberg come to mind as those seeming to try to build up the "tough guy" image by attacking teachers.

How can we stop this? If you look for a list of professions that absolutely require a postgraduate degree, there are not many. I'm not talking about how having an MBA helps in the business world. I am talking about needing the degree to get and keep your job. Is that not enough to be treated as a professional? Taking the education of our children seriously and making it a priority begins with giving educators the respect that the profession deserves.