Some of us
have experienced education abroad; some have been educated in America alone;
some were educated privately, some publically. All of us worry. We spoke of the
lack of rigor in many classrooms today; the idea that “content-free” time was
something to aspire to; that whether a child was having fun was more important
than if they were leaning; the view that students shouldn’t be pushed,
challenged, or held accountable - can't damage their self esteem, sarcasm intended. We debated the pros and cons of Common Core; “no
homework” policies; “grade free” or “no zero” policies; parent involvement
and/or the lack thereof; the politics so prevalent in many districts that
handcuff teachers who want desperately to do what’s best for kids; the way a
few “nutters” give the rest of us a bad name; the way parents, legislators, and
alas, some administrators, have no clue what really goes on every day in
classrooms across this country. We discussed “teaching to the test” and how this
causes American education to be, in large part, a million miles wide, but only a
quarter of an inch deep. We discussed the growth of the charter school movement
and what that meant for the future of public schools. We solved all of the
problems with education at least three or four times; then had another cookie,
a glass of eggnog, and played another hand of Rummikub.
As I think
back on the hours of conversations had over a two week period, I realize that
salaries, or the lack of, was never mentioned. The focus of every conversation
was kids, what was best for kids, what they needed to be successful in school
and life, and what we could do to make that happen. I was reminded of why
teaching is a calling, not a job, and why I became a teacher to begin with. It
was good to remember that there are many fantastic teachers who love kids and
want them to learn, grow, and be successful. In short, it was good to remember
that I am not alone. Teaching, for all that you are surrounded by kids, can be
a lonely profession. For those of us struggling daily to do what’s best for
kids, sometimes against insurmountable odds, it can be overwhelming,
depressing, and thankless.
I will
return to the classroom on Monday refreshed; with a renewed sense of purpose
and desire to fight for my kids and their right to an excellent education that
will help them be all I know they can become. I return with the knowledge that
one teacher can change a child’s world, and that love is an amazingly powerful
thing. And isn’t that really what this season is about: refreshing, renewal,
reflection, and most of all, love.
