ACCEPTING CHANGES IN EDUCATION
From the desk of Carol C…
This past summer was filled with what most educators saw as a lack of respect for our profession and the job we’re entrusted with. Legislators approved huge changes to public education. The changes are disheartening. To make our voices heard we had Moral Monday, editorials were written, and legislators were contacted to ask for support for education. The effects of these actions are debatable. For now we have to accept these new laws. It’s a new school year, and we need to ask ourselves, “How can I lessen my disappointment and anger with the changes that have been made this summer?” I don’t have all the answers, but here are some ideas to help.
1. Accept what you cannot change. We didn’t receive a raise, and we have one more year of tenure. We have a new attendance program, email, and a curriculum we’re still learning. If we want to reverse some or all of these laws, then at some point we can put our whole heart into it. Right now though our focus needs to be on the present…students sitting in our classrooms. Me whining, becoming depressed, or losing faith in education helps no one! Accept these policies and move on. Why ruminate on something I can’t change right now? It takes too much energy and so many times it’s futile.
2. Think about the influence we have beyond the classroom. I’m trying not to sound corny, but we have a great influence on how the next generation turns out (which also affects us). What students learn today shapes their outlook on life. One major emphasis in the Common Core is teaching kids how to think deeply, question, and wonder. That’s what we’re trying to do. Imagine a world where people cannot think beyond their own situations. In other words they’re unable to see the impact the big picture has. Along with parents, we teach students how to see beyond themselves and question and wonder, and think about the impact their decisions have on them and others. We mold the future from preschool-college. We may not see the impact we have now, but give it some time and we will. What an awesome responsibility we have!
3. Keep away from negative discussions. This is easier for some than others. I know I can be drawn into it if I’m not careful. One year I noticed when I ate lunch in the teachers’ lounge the talk was all about the woes of our jobs and education in general. I left feeling down or at least not excited about my chosen profession. Ugh! Then I made a conscious decision to either find another place to eat lunch or change the conversation while I was in the lounge. There’s always something to talk about. It can even be from the current news or People magazine! At times I just interrupted when someone would take a breath and ask something like, “Did you see The Biggest Loser last night? Oh my gosh. Can you believe who was kicked off?” Usually it worked. Other times I just put my head in my hands and laughingly said “I can’t take any more of this talk about school. Let’s talk about something else.” Honestly, I began to come out of the teachers’ lounge with a much better attitude.
Teaching is difficult and can be draining. It requires hard work, long hours, and dealing with all types of people of varying ages every day. To make it through we have to rely on ourselves and each other to make a difference in our attitude about what we do for a living. We make a difference in the world! And that my friends makes me smile and say “You’re darn straight we do.”
Have a great week!
Carol