Diatribes of a Teaching Professional

Complaining....Whining.....Frustrated Rantings.......Coping Attitudes. I hear this from teachers everywhere I go. Before I begin my own maladies regarding my profession, of choice, might I add, I want to go on record as loving what I do. I love the students I teach and I love the people I work with. There is something about the academic community, no matter what level you teach--young to old, that makes teaching rewarding.

I was sitting in a school staff lounge the other day and heard them doing their daily dose of diatribes about the dark side of our profession:

"They expect us to administer a test when it's not differientiated. Everywhere else in the world they do not do that."
"I can't believe my students acted that way the did for the sub."
"I don't have anytime to give the test."
"This test is really crap."
"Hey, do you think that I can be on "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" "

As I wander through the journey of my profesion known as teacher, I am beginning to realize that professionals and colleagues in my profession complain a lot. As you have noticed by comments above. Complaining within any job exists. Management administers the orders. The underlings complain. It is a profession that socially follows the same patterns as other personnel--public and private sector.

Because within my short career, two years as contracted and three years as sub, I have been privy to conversations that some have not heard. I have heard administrators talk about their staff. I have heard staff talk about their administrators. I have heard staff talk about students and I have heard the rest of the public talk about everyone involved in education. Let tell you---all the whining and complaining is just unproductive.

Recently, I watched the movie "Freedom Writer", the movie about Erin Gruwell. At my last teaching job, she gave one day district conference. She was dynamic and inspiring. Some of my co-workers were inspired, but skeptical about what she did. When I saw "Freedom Writer", I understood. She had great intentions for her students. She worked her heart out for her students and that was commendable, but at what cost. Her life...that is at what cost. She took three jobs and divorced. Is this the unsaid requirements of good teachers? Does any other profession require it and is it looked down upon if you do not? I want a balance between my teaching career and my personal life.

Here is what I have learned about my profession of choice. When the state or a district decide that a test or a method of teaching will be carried out in the classroom, it will be done. I have decided no manner of unhappiness or of grievance by teachers will change it--unless it goes against the teaching contract or a new company convinces the educational community that their way is better.

So, I believe I am a public servant saving the lives of the next generation and sometimes, their caretakers. I save them from not knowing their lot in life. An education will do that. For the philosophy in my family, "Everything in life can be taken away from you, but if in your mind and soul you have been given a good education, you can rebuild and live again." I have decided I will not complain about my profession of choice, but teach until I can no longer teach. I will enjoy my students, even the ones that are a challenge to enjoy, for as long as I can till I no longer have the strength to endure days with a classroom full of students.

I do not claim to be a great teacher and I think I will be just an average teacher, but all I know is I love working with students everyday. I know that some parts of what I have written don't make sense. It's 5:59 AM and nothing much makes sense when I am getting ready for work. So, I have decided to end it with two inspiring quotes that I say to myself every morning. It makes me positive. It makes me hopeful, in a profession that deals with children who need to beat the odds.

Special Olympics Creed:
"Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."

The movie "The Guardian":
Jake Fischer: How do you choose who to save?
Ben Randall: I swim as fast and as hard as I can, for as long as I can. And the sea takes the rest.

I pray that those that I cannot reach...have enough skills from them to deal with the sea of life.