Monday the Lawrence Journal World published an article on teacher negotiations in their district. I have no quarrel with the LJWorld, they did a good job representing the facts and balancing both sides of the issue. What I do take issue with is the comments made by readers who show their ignorance in their statements.
I want to take a minute to tell you what I observe in our schools. The majority of the teachers I have encountered in my son’s educational journey and in my advocacy work are some of the hardest working individuals I have ever met. The majority of our teachers go way beyond the work day to make a difference in the lives of our youth.
The school year has only been in session a little over eight weeks and let me tell you what I have seen outside the duty day in that short period of time.
• Teachers attending PTA meetings to make sure there is a coordinated effort between parents and teachers to boost student achievement.
• Teachers attending back to school night, sometimes at the expense of missing their own children’s events, again to keep that line of communication open.
• Teachers spending countless hours after teaching to grade papers, plan their assignments, sponsoring after school clubs.
• Teachers meeting with parents during evening and early morning hours for conferences, again to form that partnership with parents that are crucial for student achievement.
• Teachers who are in their classrooms long before and long after the bell rings to offer additional assistance to students that might need extra help.
• E-mails from many of my son’s teachers offering an update on what is taking place in the classroom.
• A debate teacher/coach who I am sure never sleeps and works every night and weekend to make sure our kids have an excellent opportunity to advance their self confidence and learn life-long skills.
In the summer, these same teachers are using their own dollars to further their education and increase their effectiveness in the classroom. Many of them work part-time summer jobs to make ends meet.
Teachers in this state and in this country are woefully underpaid for the level of education they possess and the duties they are charged with executing. They are shaping the future of our country every single day and every one of us should be grateful for their service.
Yes, most teachers stay in this profession because they see it as their calling, but that does not excuse us from paying them a fair wage. Think for just a moment where you would be in your life were it not for the teachers who guided you and gave you the skills needed to be the person you are today.
I am challenging those of you reading this, to stand up and rebut the ignorance of those that continue to rail against and degrade our teachers. We cannot sit idly by and allow the right-wing ideologues to attack our children’s teachers.
Take a moment and write a letter to the editor about our great teachers, send an e-mail to your student’s teacher and thank them for their efforts, and most importantly the next time someone whines about our teachers, stand up and set them straight! Enough is enough already!
