Screwed Blue And Tattooed
How many of us would be teachers, or for that matter could even aspire to be teachers?
How is it that good people, dedicated people, talented, educated people have become our favorite institutional punching bag?
Our favorite professionals to pick on.
Who else has done so much and gotten so little public respect?
Who else takes care of our children, our grandchildren, not for just an hour, but 4 to 6 to 8 hours, 5 days a week, and then keeps them motivated and enthused in many an afternoon, and after-school program, sports, recreation, art or music? Taking their personal weekends to be a mentor to your son, your daughter.
Who but the teacher is the savior of the classic "7" Liberal arts?
Who else strives and struggles to defend and teach the equally endowed 3 R's?
Since long before Jane and Dick, to now "Whole English," one thing never changes and that is the forthright, honest sacrifices and dedication, daily put up in front of all us, on behalf of our single greatest and enduring resource--Our Children.
You can talk about your firemen, with their image of selfless sacrifice, danger, and full on commitment, but so too our teachers. These teachers too, no less strong, present, and productive, and all-the-while with safe and nurturing care, as they (sometimes, if lucky, with parental help and guidance) move our precious ones, into a future of promise and optimism, as we all so intend.
It is in the hands of the teacher that our Nation's tomorrow is cradled.
Is it any wonder then, that in an environment of persistent public criticism, and lowest of earned living wages, combined and hallmarked by a vacuous lack of respect, that they feel like they must always defend themselves, against the belittling "us."
What is it, that in our society we feel like those we expect the most from, we can disrespect and pay the least to? Our teachers, doctors, nurses, and public safety personnel--all those that we depend on when it truly becomes a matter of acute and personal life or death issues. The first, and always truly there, responders.
I say stop beating on them and pay your teachers well, for what they truly do, because more likely than not, they are doing more for your child today and their future, than you are.
And even if you feel a need to be inappropriately defensive about that, and indefensibly argue that point--then I ask, when was the last time a stranger did so much for so many, and you and yours in particular?
Be nice to a teacher. We can’t do it without them. Our future depends upon it.
How is it that good people, dedicated people, talented, educated people have become our favorite institutional punching bag?
Our favorite professionals to pick on.
Who else has done so much and gotten so little public respect?
Who else takes care of our children, our grandchildren, not for just an hour, but 4 to 6 to 8 hours, 5 days a week, and then keeps them motivated and enthused in many an afternoon, and after-school program, sports, recreation, art or music? Taking their personal weekends to be a mentor to your son, your daughter.
Who but the teacher is the savior of the classic "7" Liberal arts?
Who else strives and struggles to defend and teach the equally endowed 3 R's?
Since long before Jane and Dick, to now "Whole English," one thing never changes and that is the forthright, honest sacrifices and dedication, daily put up in front of all us, on behalf of our single greatest and enduring resource--Our Children.
You can talk about your firemen, with their image of selfless sacrifice, danger, and full on commitment, but so too our teachers. These teachers too, no less strong, present, and productive, and all-the-while with safe and nurturing care, as they (sometimes, if lucky, with parental help and guidance) move our precious ones, into a future of promise and optimism, as we all so intend.
It is in the hands of the teacher that our Nation's tomorrow is cradled.
Is it any wonder then, that in an environment of persistent public criticism, and lowest of earned living wages, combined and hallmarked by a vacuous lack of respect, that they feel like they must always defend themselves, against the belittling "us."
What is it, that in our society we feel like those we expect the most from, we can disrespect and pay the least to? Our teachers, doctors, nurses, and public safety personnel--all those that we depend on when it truly becomes a matter of acute and personal life or death issues. The first, and always truly there, responders.
I say stop beating on them and pay your teachers well, for what they truly do, because more likely than not, they are doing more for your child today and their future, than you are.
And even if you feel a need to be inappropriately defensive about that, and indefensibly argue that point--then I ask, when was the last time a stranger did so much for so many, and you and yours in particular?
Be nice to a teacher. We can’t do it without them. Our future depends upon it.
posted by don regan at 5:33 PM
4 Comments:
Hello, Doc. Using my actual blogname to say this is a nice note of support for teachers. Now, could you tell the Governator to give 'em what they want? Thanks!
I shall, and have, and will continue to do so!!
ALWAYS !!!
THANKS ... don
Yes, Spectator and everyone ...
With no question, I proudly support teachers, and what they do. ALWAYS! The word Teacher, and as well as, many a Teacher is/are one of my many heroes, friends, and neighbors. I would be proud to be one.
Does, that mean, that I support Unions? That I support what they do? Or how they do it?
NO, I don't.
Did they have place in our history? YES!
Do those Unions have a place today? Yes, but not at the expense of their own members and fellow taxpayers, and lovers of responsible, EFFICIENT AND FISCALLY responsible governance.
Unions today, not unlike government, are examples of excesses in power and usury, much like excesses in bad language, and mean spiritedness. Both need to be curtailed.
And while curtailing one’s tongue, then it is also good to remember, that through constructive dialectics, workable and fiscally responsible solutions are found.
It is otherwise hard to find light in the dark.
So, when you can control your meanness, Spectator, maybe then instead of contributing to the problem, you can "constructively" contribute to the solutions.
Are teachers and Unions one and the same. NO!
So, first find a way to respect both, and then through that respect, and understanding one can then find fiscally sane, and personally secure solutions that respect the people, who do the work each day, of nurturing and educating our children.
It takes a parent and a teacher acting together to educate our child. It is a triangle of care that serves the needs of our children in school. Our job is to be vigilant, and active in that process. Anger, though easier, serves no end, but further deconstruction and frustration.
I hope this helps you. More to the point, I hope it helps our children.
Dear Spectator...
" ... How come the public school teachers always strike for more money, and not for better education ...? "
Why does anyone want more money? This is not really a credible question, in my view. Why do we work?
As to education, and having been a teacher, I can tell you, the daily grind, and resultant reward to both teachers, parents and their students/children define their mutal commitment.
What is not built into that process is real accountability. Accountability for the parents, the student, the schools, and then when that is in place, only then can we account for the teaching results.
More to the point is student learning we are after, that is the product. QC happens there.
The above parties, are merely the tools, and as such, ALL must be accounted for, or NONE can be.
Most, many teachers are not enthralled with their unions, anymore than those in the AFL-CIO, or the UFCW workers, etc.. It is a necessary evil, a best in some of their minds.
And Unions have nothing, if they lose their workers, and kill the businesses in which their members work. Can't kill the Golden Goose.
A teacher's parent is a Union's blood, throughout, each parent taxpayers must never be, nor allow themselves to be taken for granted.
The point is when you are talking about excess, and taxpayer burdens, it is imperative to be sure you frame your argument at the Unions, and not the teacher working members. Arnold has even learned that, I hope.
"...And as far as controlling meanness, where have I been mean to you or anyone else? Bringing to light flaws in your arguments or political correctness is not mean...."
Tone is everything, Spectator.
Tenure is a deeply troubling unnecessary artifact, and it's need in today's academic environment is at best highly questionable, and easily a debilitating dinosaur, whose bones we should be studying, not living with.
Tenure is bad for teachers, bad for students, bad for education, and bad for learning.
At the end of the day, at all levels of public employment, the issue of attendance wages, versus earned wages is a legitimate issue ... when it is those taxpayers' money you are receiving. Accountability is the name of the game, not an in-classroom working pension.
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