For many years, I had the honor and privilege of calling
myself a teacher. As another school year begins, and both students and teachers
return to the classrooms, let me take a few minutes and share some thoughts.
Teaching is hard.
The old adage, “Those who can’t do, teach,” has been around
forever it seems, and there are apparently plenty of folks who still believe it
to be true. Let me dispel the notion. Not everyone can do what actual teachers
do. Period. It’s hard and it gets harder every year, it seems. Even in a
perfect situation with a reasonable class size and no disciplinary issues,
transmitting the things you know to another person is often difficult and
always harder than it looks.
I once had a school board member critical of our campus
reading scores ask (out loud), “What’s the problem? Anybody can sit down with a
kid and teach him to read.” Without even bothering to get into the complexities
of the state’s reading test, I was astonished to think that this particular man
actually believed anyone could just
show up and teach kids how to read. I wanted to stick him in a room with twenty
or so six-year-olds and see how long he lasted.
The reality is that teaching, at least effective teaching,
is a skill that not everyone possesses. I have personally known many really
smart people who do not have the ability to explain what they know to other
people. There’s more to teaching than talking and expecting that anyone with
ears will easily and readily absorb your knowledge. Take my word for it, it’s
not that simple. Teaching is hard.
Teaching is a labor of love.
Even with the increases in salaries that are offered today,
believe me when I tell you, most teachers struggle financially. And when they
retire, the longer they live, the more difficult it becomes. With rising health
premiums and general cost of living increases, the average retiree is worse off
every year. (For a more thorough explanation of this issue check out this
article: https://www.texastribune.org/2018/07/27/texas-teacher-pension-money-retirement/)
Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever worked with a single teacher who was in it
for the money.
Most teachers spend huge amounts of personal funds for their
students and their classrooms. They do it willingly, because the job is
important. They sacrifice financially because they believe so fully in the
importance of what they do each day. And just so you know, the coaching
stipends are usually much lower than you would imagine for the vast number of
extra hours and days required. And unless you are in a very big district,
administrators make far less than most people think too.
So, why do they do it? It’s a calling. They do it because
they choose to do it. Despite the low pay. They do it out of love for the kids
they teach and the colleagues who prop them up when the going gets tough. They
do it because they care.
(And stop it with all that crap about summer vacations and
days off. Consider the hours most put in above and beyond the normal daily
schedule. Consider the yearly salaries compared to other professions. Teachers
are underpaid.)
Teachers need all the parental support they can get.
Teachers are professionals. I would highly encourage all
parents to remember that. Although it may have taken less time than the doctors
or lawyers or other professionals you may encounter, don’t forget that teachers
worked to gain the necessary degrees and certifications required for their
profession. They are deserving of a certain level of respect that all too often
is denied them.
Do your child a huge favor this year and make a conscious
effort to treat his or her teachers with respect and show them the support they
need to succeed, at least in front of their students. Your child’s teacher will
not be perfect, but that’s okay. Remember, it’s a hard job, and teachers are
only human like the rest of us. Make sure your kids know that you support their
teachers. If you have concerns, address them at school, not at home. Education
is a team effort. Be part of the team, not an opponent.
Great message Rick
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