I wrote a post a few weeks ago about some people who have invested in me and my professional life. Isn't it nice when people say kind words about you? believe in you? hope for you? support you? affirm your good work? I can be a sentimental fool. I can cry at sappy commercials (it doesn't take a movie...). I can feel like my heart might explode with goodwill when I see selfless acts.
Anyone know where I see these kinds of positive actions daily? hourly? by the minute? Yes, at school. I have watched teachers stand in freezing weather to scrap ice from windshields of other teachers' cars before they scrap their own windshield and get out of the blustery, angry cold temperatures. I have watched as teachers show up 20 minutes early for morning duty in order to be ready to let students into the building, so those students don't have to wait in the cold. I have watched those same teachers dance, sing, greet, and cheer on students as they enter the building at 7:00am. At times, these are the only uplifting words some students will hear. I have watched teachers stay late into the afternoon - after contract hours (meaning no pay) - to work with students who are struggling with a concept in class. I have watched these same teachers stay for ballgames, concerts, plays, and other activities late into the evening just so they can tell their students the next day what a wonderful job they did. I have seen teachers buy sweatshirts and jackets for students who walk in the below freezing temperatures wearing only a t-shirt.
For some unclear reason too many people outside the education profession do not seem to appreciate all that our teachers do for students beyond teaching. Teaching itself is an exhausting profession. Teaching in the classroom requires constantly flexibility to meet the ever changing expectations, students, mandates, assessments, and standards. And, when you think about it, teachers have touched every life. Each person is only as successful as their experience in a classroom some where at some time. I look at all teachers do beyond the classroom walls, and I am awed by their courage, compassion, creativity, and kindness. Why teachers are not revered I will never understand, but why they are reviled baffles and disturbs me.
Those who choose to overlook the hard work, low pay, and self sacrifice of teachers are those who choose to be blind to some beautiful life experiences. Just as I stated earlier, seeing kindness in action, affirmation of a person's self worth, and selfless acts done in secret make my heart swell, my eyes dampen, and my soul satisfied to be part of such a generous group of people.
I have often heard that "hurt people, hurt people". I wonder if people who tear down those in education are miserable inside? If they can't see the overwhelming concern teachers have for their students that goes so much farther beyond four walls, desks, and a textbook, then I invite them to spend a day in a local school. Follow a teacher through their day. See the kinds of situations, obstacles, and distractions teachers must face and overcome daily, hourly to keep instruction going, students deepening their knowledge, and achievement improving. If you do, I believe you will walk away inspired by the amazing educators we have in our public schools; you will find a respect and reverence for their work; you will find an appreciation for their commitment to students no matter the deterrents they encounter. ...and I hope you will find the desire to share a smile with each teacher you see.
Great job, Amanda!
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