So I’ve made it through the beginning of my first school year since 1976 as an “outsider.” I’m not a teacher or a student this year, but I still have a kid in school so I get the mom experience.
I gotta say, it’s wonderful to get some distance from that stress. And since I’ve changed careers, I think I finally put my finger on what made teaching so frustrating when I was doing it.
The difference is that the people I work with now think I’m an adult and trust me to make responsible decisions about how I spend my time. They’re not nosy about why I can’t come to a meeting if I can’t. They trust me to get the work done.
In all my years of teaching, I was mostly treated like I was one of the kids and that the most reasonable expectation is that I would be trying to get away with something.
(HINT: most teachers are not trying to get away with anything; they are a hard-working bunch in it because they believe in it)
I am relieved for myself that I am away from that toxic environment now. And now that I have a little space and emotional energy, I will do all I can with my vote and my advocacy to change that environment for the people still in it.
Public education for all is a quintessential American idea. And too many Americans have been trying to kill it and make it into something you can make a profit off of. ENDRANT.
@Samanthabwriter
Republicans, being traditionally the party of big business, want America to be a profit-making enterprise. They see every activity that we provide to the citizens free of charge as horrendous socialism. If they are allowed to, they will turn every governmental social program into a private, for-profit business. All their wealthy friends will reap the profits and we'll all be their slave labor.
@Jeber Yes! Unfortunately, I began my teaching career right as "No Child Left Behind" hit the floor in Congress. I spent the whole thing under fire of one sort or another.