You Could Be So Much More

We've all seen things like these:




Teachers are always tired, always frustrated, always looking for the next vacation.  This is the perception of the world at large about educators.  And who is sharing these memes?

We are.

We are perpetuating the ideas above.  That teaching is all work and no reward.  And we wonder why some people, when their child expresses an interest in teaching, say "But you could be so much more."

As I write this, I have just returned from a session of our our District's Teacher Leader Academy where we discussed, among other things, the negativity that is felt towards the teaching profession in general, and public education in specific.  The consequence of negative perceptions of public education is a big one:  Studies show there a fewer people wanting to become teachers.

Why?

Negative Talk from Teachers Themselves

Those memes above are just the tip of the iceberg.

A major reason for the negativity came from the fact that we as teachers seem to talk more about the negative than the positive.  Think about it- how many conversations have you had with non-educators lately wherein you mentioned how-

• Busy
• Tired
• Swamped
• Stressed
• Tired of behavior issues

                      -you were?  Conversely, how often have you talked about the victories, the positives, and the hope?

Our non-educator friends hear this, and think "I don't want to work that hard for so little reward."  They also think "I don't want my kid to grow up to do that." (More on this soon.)  

We need to change the tone of the conversation.  Or do we truly believe it's just too hard?  That it is not worth it?  Have we lost our passion, or are we just agreeing with an established education culture that likes to complain and offer no solutions except to throw our hands in the air and say "Blah, the State Board of Education?"

Be the positive.  Stop posting the humorous but demeaning memes that contradict the important and vital and GOOD work we are doing.  Be proud and loud about what you and your fellow educators are doing.

Pay, Or Lack Thereof

I'm going to get this out of the way- if you have a problem with teacher pay:  write your Congressman.  Contact the State Board of Education, sign a petition, support a candidate.  But do not just complain. It does nothing.

You and I cannot, by ourselves change this.  And yes, it is a HUGE barrier to education getting the top-talent.  They go for the jobs with big salaries and benefits.  So, aside from getting politically active, how can we on the ground encourage a new generation to take up the teaching mantle.

Remind them we get paid with something else, too.

• Students, though rare, who say "Thank you for making time for me."
• A parent's tears as they tell you how much you meant to their child.
• Seeing a young person realize their full potential, without them even realizing they had it.
• Being the positive influence that a student doesn't find anywhere else.
• Jeans days

"You Could Be So Much More"

At our meeting today, on several occasions, this conception came up.  Well-meaning parents who want their child to succeed tell them not to go into teaching.  Why?  Low pay, little respect, it's a tough job, everyone is a critic, etc. 

 Those are valid concerns.  

My answer:  "Let's prove them right."

As educators, let's be more.  More than paper-pushers, more than grading machines, more than presenters, more than the "baby-sitters" we are accused of being.

If you are tired, I get it.  But we cannot phone it in.  That's why people think they could be "So much more."  Greatness comes not when the task is easy, it comes when the task is at a razor's edge of failure, so we dance lightly on the edge and do the unimaginable:  reach just one more student.

As educators, we must "be so much more."  We may be called upon to play the role of surrogate parent, wise sage, comic relief, unseen support, and fighter for the rights of students.  Do not play the role reluctantly.  Doctors save lives, lawyers free people, athletes and actors entertain, astronauts discover and explore the last frontier.

Teachers save lives, free students, entertain, and discover and promote new stars.

Every.

Single.

Day.

So, why should you teach?

Do you love it, do you feel called to do it, do you want to be in a place to make a significant impact on potentially hundreds (thousands?) of lives?

Then that is why.

So, lets "be so much more."

Then the next generation of teachers will be as well.