Posts Tagged “system”

Based on local values and cultural differences the policies and regulations vary from school to school and district to district but the issues seem to remain the same. Once we accept this fact and look outside of ourselves to the greater picture we might remember why we became teachers.  We wanted to make a difference. The system has worn us down. After years of hard work, we are tired. As the statement goes from our teens we have become “out of touch” with both our own dreams of change and the desires of our students.  It wasn’t that long ago that we were those students. 

My selfishness, and I suspect the selfishness and “pity me” attitude of a few of us was actually hindering the education of these little minds that we had taken an oath to build to their fullest potential.

We have great power as a group to work together. The strength of our group is built from both our similarities and our different perspectives as individuals.  If we wish to make a difference in our schools and the way they are run, we need to ban together and more importantly, stick together. Change can come from outside but at a great cost to our students and teachers.  We as teachers know the issues better than any other entity in the school system.  We witness it each and every day. We feel the same demands and difficulties with staff, students, and parents.  If we ban together not just as schools, but as districts we can ensure change at the local, state, and federal levels.  We teach our students that one person’s voice can make a difference; maybe it is time that we walk the walk and act upon these thoughts. 

Are we exhausted from life and our current work loads?  Yes. However we will  be far more exhausted if we stand by and idly watch as yet more inane testing is added or yet another new reading or math program is added in hopes of improving our schools test scores. Think back to when you first began teaching.  What was the thing that excited you so and why?  For me it was seeing the light bulb go on in students’ eyes when they got the concept form the lesson I had just taught.  What made the difference in my attitude by the third year in the public education system versus the first two years?  I had been indoctrinated into the system.  What was most important was no longer the kids love for exploration and fascination with the unknown.  It had become the test scores and the administration crap.  I had lost sight of my dream.  We must have these results by this time or the school will not be receiving the funding we need from the government.  Yes, we need guide lines but we also don’t need to break the spirit of both the students or their teachers.

 When are we as the “teaching professionals” going to make a stand?  We know what works with our students and our current testing regime is not it.  Take a moment and think back to your 1^st few years of teaching and marvel at the excitement (and exhaustion) it brings back.  Now what is standing in the way of this great feeling?  Yes, the current doctrine which has been proven not to work.  It is up to us to make the change.  Think about it, ask a friend, or even your students to do this same exercise and see how they feel.  We may be surprised to find they have become as apathetic as we have become.  Let’s bring the same concept of change being spoken of on our national political front back home, beginning with ourselves.  Change must start form within and I for one am stepping up to the plate.  One person can make a difference.  We are our students’ leaders.  It’s time to stop complaining and walk the walk.