In many ways, this is one of the
hardest posts I have written. What makes it hard? Being a teacher, I am aware
of some of the inside workings… I know collectively what we hold as valuable… I
also know the dark parts of me that show their face from time to time.
Let me
start off by saying, everyone has an opinion on the heels of tragedy. (Even
folks that are mostly passive like myself). As teachers we respond in different
ways to warfare in our battle camps. From some, I hear the call for more
security…and there is a whole gamut here: teachers carrying weapons, metal
detectors, on site police, etc. From other teachers I hear fear in their
voices. There is also a whole camp that decrees their actions. We boast of the
bravery we would have in a similar situation. To be honest, it doesn't matter
which stance you take. You are vested in the issue.
Before
I go deeper into what I need to say, I must state that I am only an expert of
one. Every now and then I do okay at managing my own human failings. Beyond myself,
I can only speak as an observer. The things I want to say are not meant
downplay tragedy, loss, and sinful acts of violence. Please take what I have to
say as just one person’s opinion, and at best maybe just a charge to myself to
do better.
The
phrase from my kin that continues to arise is, “I would die for my students.” I
love when teachers say that. I have felt the hairs on my neck rise in my own
professing. It really does feel great to
say, and for most of those who say it, I believe them. Being willing to die for
another is an act of love. The problem is that we can easily just talk about
“The future us.” Statistically we will probably never have to physically perform
this. Sadly, it as good as stating how generous we would be if we won the lottery.
Instead
of making statements, we need to be asking this question, “How am I dying for
my students today?” This is not meant to be morbid or to downplay the sacrifice
some have given, but if we truly wish to reform our country (including
education) we need to seriously look at ourselves.
Dying
for our students needs to start today. The New Year is full of hopes for
change, but the outcome of this resolution can be made at any point. We have to
start with us. I once heard that a revival starts with the circle we draw
around ourselves. We have to resist the urge to look elsewhere or to where the
media tells us to focus.
Step 1.
Quit Hungering for More Time Ownership.
Yes, I started with a big one. As teachers we are lovers of time. Time makes us
shriek, grab greedily, and whine ridiculously. Take away our planning period or
infringe on our lunch… you may get a smirk, but inside we are boiling. We
believe we are master schedule keepers, and that clocks and bells were created
for us. Quit acting as though your time is so much more valuable. My
prescription is to evaluate your schedule and see how you can give up at least
30 minutes to students or other staff. My week often looks like this: one lunch
a week in the cafeteria eating with a student, a visit to a boy in life-skills
kindergarten, a planning period playing
gym with my students, a morning prep time helping another staff, Friday lunch
with my Squire’s club boys, and Friday planning period volunteering math
enrichment with 3rd grade.
Why do I find this necessary? I have less time staring at myself, trying
to figure out how to complain better or get more of the pie. You will find it
makes a huge difference in your students. There is an earned respect through
giving of your time.
Step 2.
Work As If You Matter. We have a
local teacher here, constantly hitting the front page of the newspaper with a
scandal. She continues to work in the school, and we get to read all the
happenings of her social life. This is the classic example of a teacher who
doesn’t realize they hold a precious gift. As teachers, we are not elevated or
anywhere close to acquiring perfection, but we must consider our influence. I
remember growing up and holding my teachers in a strange light (Did they ever
go to the bathroom? Did they really have to buy groceries?). Now you look
around and teachers all over have dirty laundry out for display. I listen to
colleagues talk about needing to drink because of their work, and the sexual
innuendos fly without any shame. We want to preach about the home life of our
students, and I often wonder if we could offer them much more. If you really
want to die for your kids, you have to surrender that lackadaisical worker that
wants to hang on our backs. Our students need teachers who will bring back a
standard. We have more of chance to build the future than any other profession
on the planet, and yet we treat our work as common. I can’t stand when we look
all-together with a long strand of toilet paper stuck to our foot. Let’s clean
it up and step up our game! (See Video from ESPN)
Step 3.
Embrace Sacrifice. Yes, if you live
in America, sacrifice has slipped a bit from our vocabulary. In a country where
we pride ourselves on the hard work, duty, and discipline of the past, we are
great at grabbing for just a bit more. This drive even gets me when I evaluate
how many cookies are left in the tray at the holiday gathering. I am figuring
how to get a bit more for me. The sad thing is worldwide we are often known for
being selfish, hoarding, and rude. The last thing we want is for anyone to tell
us we should give something up. I am not talking socialism here. I am talking
about resisting the urge to put gold plating on our gold. As a teacher, we have
it pretty good to start (I work in the 3rd lowest paying district in
our area too!). If you sit back, you have resources, time, and energy that you
can sacrifice. I would suggest you go dive headlong into this one. If you sit
back and just give of your money, you will never taste the true fruit in this
one. Find a place to invest your time and energy, and do it without expecting a
kickback. Can you sacrifice something before school? Can you volunteer for
something in your school or after school? The funny thing about sacrifice is
that it changes something in our hearts. It often can rewire your heart, and
for many it can bring us back to some of those passions we long ago buried. (Great Resource: http://www.volunteermatch.org/)
These three things will not cure you, nor will they
magically fix our country. I am convinced that they will start a reformation of
the profession. If a small group of teachers would catch flame and start dying daily
for their kids, it would ignite a true hope for our schools. We need more
teachers return to giving time, serving as if they matter, and sacrificing of
ourselves.
What is your plan in living out these three steps? Are you already
doing them?
Clock Photo by http://www.flickr.com/photos/grufnik/
Clock Photo by http://www.flickr.com/photos/grufnik/
0 Comments