Teachers: We are asking too much of you.
For years they honorably come to their place of employment that has, at times, more resembled a social service office, medical provider, and food pantry rather than a school where they choose to be educators.
A place that is criminally under-funded and under-staffed. Teachers spend countless hours a day giving to their students, our children, with ever depleting resources and growing expectations and challenges. Then we heap on the incalculable social and emotional toll the COVID-19 pandemic took in mid-March. An abrupt end to one school year that continues now interrupting the start of the new school year.
IT IS ABUNDANTLY CLEAR, WE ARE JUST ASKING TOO MUCH OF OUR TEACHERS AS PROFESSIONALS, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, AS HUMANS.
For this, I, and thousands of other parents around the country, would like to offer three simple words.
We are sorry.
We’re sorry we haven’t done better by the people who often spend more time with our children than we do.
We are sorry you have chosen a profession that is among the most admirable and selfless paths one can choose, yet isn’t valued anywhere near the way it should be.
We’re sorry that you aren’t compensated what you deserve for what is being asked of you, and by extension, your families and loved ones.
To my fellow parents around the country, we can demand better. Most of us have spent the last five months trying our best to imitate the role of “teacher”. I am sure many of you thrived in that role. My husband and I are not among that group.
Our teachers deserve more! Better pay, smaller classes, shorter hours, and regular professional development that prepares them for more than just teaching in the classroom. They also need more resources in terms of classroom supplies, resources officers, parent involvement, and a right to put their own family’s needs first.
Remember these are the people who come to work every day to make sure our kids have a fighting chance. Say something, do something, and ask how you can help. We have to do better for them because they are such a vital part of our children’s daily lives. Do what you can this year and for years to come to help protect a profession that is crucial to the fabric of our country.
They deserve it.
You say the public schools are criminally underfunded. Did you know that the average cost per pupil in public schools $11,000 ? The average cost for a private school pupil is $10,000. Which do you think turns out better students?
This is ridiculous. What other job can you threaten to fire your bosses (vote out political leaders who don’t give in to their demands) and still have a job? Or threaten to not come to work (strike) and still have a job? Or refuse to do your job (I won’t teach in person school) and still have a job? That sounds like a pretty cushy job.
If teachers are there “to give kids a fighting chance” and “spend more time with your kids than you do”, the author needs to write an article about the absolute dereliction of duty for parents. Strengthen family and parenting. Don’t apologize to teachers.
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