Inspiring Teachers
How did I get to this place?
Submitted by an educator who prefers to remain anonymous.
July 8, 2007
I moved from the West Coast to a city in the Mid-West four years ago. I thought working in an inner city area would be a good place to be useful, since I love teaching children. I wanted to really help children in the inner city rumored “unteachable” in by some educators on the West Coast.
So, my family and I relocated. We eagerly awaited what great things we would experience in our new home. However, never did I ever imagine four years ago when I became part this particular urban school district that the experience I am describing would be mine. This spring a student assaulted me. The student was suspended and five days later he was sitting in my class, appearing to gloat.
Our school’s administration changed a few months prior to the incident. This new administration had no idea of student’s history, nor did they seem interested. As far as they were concerned, every child started with a clean slate when both school heads changed. However, we the teachers did not buy into that philosophy. Needless to say, we had no support. We did not matter.
One month later, a different child assaulted me again this time. I was punched in the back with a closed fist and suffered injury to my back by a muscular seventh grader. Again, this child was suspended for ten days. The board denied the expulsion of both boys as recommended.
My question remains. How do you as a teacher continue teaching if students are allowed to get away with this kind of behavior? Well, to pour salt into my wounds less than three weeks ago one of the students who assaulted me came to school and he and I exchanged words. He left the building without permission and later told the new Administration that I gave him permission to leave. I will admit I did not notify the new administration that the child left the building and was hanging outside with his friends. Nor, did I imagine that the child would actually leave school grounds and cut class. I still can’t believe I was actually fired!
Well, my new Administration is pushing to have me terminated from the board, not from the school but from the board. My livelihood is being taken away from me. You talk about stress on top of stress! The sad part about all of this is the UNION can not protect my job. As a probationary teacher you have four years to prove yourself but during that time if anything goes wrong you are not covered and if a new principal comes in they can get rid of all probationary teachers. I can’t begin to describe my devastation.
I stayed with this illustrious midwestern urban school system because I thought this was the only option available to me, but I was wrong. There are so many great Independent Schools, Charter Schools and Small Schools that are meeting the needs of our urban children everyday. The schools are smaller and the class sizes are conducive to learning. It is not always about the money. Sometimes it is about peace and safety.
I know this for certain, we have to rethink education. Public schools are not working and we have to make changes now! I shiver to think of the state of education…where is has developed…where is it going…what our future will be!
I have pondered and pondered on my situation. I cried and cried but God picked me up and dusted me off. I am a strong person. I have been through a lot of life’s lessons and this I must say is a lesson in itself.
After I dried my tears, I prepared my resume and began applying for teaching jobs. Don’t be afraid to make changes. There are schools, parents, and students who value what we have to offer. It is still an important and awesome profession. We cannot allow society to take that away from us. After only a short time after I began to send my resume out, to my surprise, I received call after call after call.
Through my tears and my hurt I can remember..I am needed! I am a great person! I am a teacher! I am valuable! I am a child of The King! And I matter…
