The importance of teaching is often underestimated—even by teachers. Teaching is common in my family. I have two aunts and a cousin who are retired teachers, sisters and a cousin who currently teach, and I am a university professor. We know what it is like to see small paychecks and be frustrated with a system that is increasingly failing our kids. As a teacher, though, I don’t let teachers off the hook so easily. We chose a profession that is never going to make us rich. We have to accept this. We have to find our reward in the intangible.
I have heard many teachers complain about their jobs. In some cases, the complaints are warranted. Nonetheless, the role of the teacher is to elevate society. Sadly, the role is perceived by many—some teachers, but mostly parents, students, and politicians—to produce graduates. Teachers are evaluated based upon test scores and graduation rates rather than the quality of the citizens they produce. As a result, standards get lowered and teachers lose the opportunity to shape society. There are teachers who are content with this. Many more are not. Sadly, it is the best teachers who are penalized in such a system.
Teachers should be paid more. There is no doubt about this. But, there needs to be strings attached. As a society, we should want the best teachers teaching our children. Unfortunately, the best teachers are often given the most difficult circumstances and rewarded the same as poorer teachers. Tenure is almost guaranteed for teachers. The most caring teachers put in the longest hours—preparing course material, grading student work, meeting with parents and students, etc.—with no added reward other than a “thank you” (if they are lucky).
I am often the most critical of teachers because I am one. I see the progressive slipping of preparedness in my college students. I see the expectation to just be passed along and to be given what is needed to pass the test. Sometimes the really great teachers are lost in the shadows of a system that fails our youth.
A good education isn’t determined by the dollars spent, but the continued erosion of funding by politicians does our students and teachers no service. Politicians need to fund schools and communities need to demand results. Provide salaries that will draw the best teachers, but only keep and promote those who get the job done.
When test scores are the standard for success, the result will be higher test scores and an uneducated population. Frankly, teaching to the test is easy. Expanding the minds and opportunities for young people is what educators do. Politicians and many parents seem clueless to this.
Teachers shape society. As parents and taxpayers, we are trusting in the system to produce productive citizens. I know most teachers try. Unfortunately, many allow for the erosion of discipline and the evolution of entitlement. Many believe that self-esteem is something to be protected rather than something that is to be forged. Many believe that failure is somehow demeaning to a child. The system is creating an environment that shields children from conflict thus prohibiting the development of very necessary social skills.
The purpose of education is not to provide a document of completion. Rather it is to provide an open door. It is to reveal to the student a universe of opportunity.
Equality in education is a falsehood. Equity should be the goal of education. In other words, each child is to be afforded the best opportunity to fulfill his or her purpose.
As a society, we can begin with greater gratitude for those who teach. With gratefulness, we must demand the most of our teachers—and reward those who make our communities stronger with more than a “thank you”. We must emphasize education, not as a right or privilege, but as an opportunity.
We must expect more of our students. Our teachers deserve our support, and our students must understand that it is their responsibility to perform. A degree should not be a participation trophy. A parents our tax and tuition dollars do not buy a degree—they buy an education and a path to opportunity.
Educators will never be paid enough. When we understand the value of teachers, we will always get more than we pay for.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!
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