The Teachers’ Lounge

Professional Heroes

Teachers have it good. They get lots of days off, long breaks around major holidays and they get entire summers off. If that were not enough, they get paid for the summer breaks as well. Thus saith no teacher…ever. While teaching is a great career, it’s a lot of work (on and off the clock), often with little financial or other reward. Once considered noble, honorable work, teaching is increasingly seen as a “no other choice” profession. The not funny joke “Those who can, do, those who can’t, teach” speaks to the lack of respect for teaching these days. This is the career many educators are called to. I think calling is the reason the best teachers stay, despite the pay, working conditions and benefits.

There are social and professional expectations that teachers give to their professions. Give of themselves, their time, their money, and a good portion of their lives. Teachers work evenings and week ends and over those holiday breaks. Summers are getting shorter with mandatory training scheduled during summer months rather than on workdays like they used to be.

Teachers continue to supplement their classrooms out of their own pockets or resort to “Clear the List” campaigns where generous and empathetic people opt to purchase items teachers add to a “wish list” on Amazon or at local stores. Many classroom pantries are stocked out of teachers’ own kitchens to ensure no student is hungry during the day. Teachers often carry more than their share of the load to ensure children learn and are held professionally responsible if learning goals aren’t met.

We are swift to recognize our veterans, law enforcement, nurses and first responders, with flags, celebrations, consumer discounts and public expressions of gratitude. All the aforementioned personnel are worthy of such recognition. However, professional educators should be added to this cadre of professional heroes. Teachers are on the “front lines” daily navigating behavior, academic deficits, trauma, politics, and a host of other social and emotional obstacles that interfere with their ability to do their jobs effectively. The unspoken, but clear expectation to continue to give leaves many educators running on empty emotionally and professionally.

As we salute the professionals in our communities, let’s not forget the teachers who do the impossible in impossible situations every day. Let’s start thanking teachers for their dedication and service. Like veterans, law enforcement, nurses and first responders, teachers are in the “trenches” too. The contribution they make to their students are life-changing.

Email comments to FM-TeachersLounge@gmail.com

Follow me on Twitter @DrTeresaSanders