Teaching to Change the World- Chapter 12
Why do teachers do what we do for average to below average pay nationally with little respect for our profession and/or suppposed meager importance on the grand scheme of things in a capitalistic society such as our own?
We do not do it for money. We do not do it for presitge. We do not do it for glory.
Teachers live for the moments when the light bulb goes off in a student’s mind, when the underdog overcomes a challenge, or when we see our efforts inspire a student to achieve something for which they did not even seek out to achieve or believed they could. It is when a student smiles because they read their first word or their first chapter book. We do it for the students and the communities we have committed our lives to educate. We create possibilities, not profit margins. We have the power to create dreams as well as hope. We invest our time and energies in the future, not futures markets or speculation. We invest in people, not portfolios. That is what we do often without regard for our own needs or well being. It is often a thankless profession, because the return interest on our investment does not occur for decades to come. We may never see or hear the appreciation, but it is there in the hearts of all the students we have touched over the years.
April 13th, 2008 at 4:43 am
Jon,
Well said! I guess that was the difference between Margaret and Claire. It’s those moments of which you write about that sustain us as teachers!
April 19th, 2008 at 7:13 am
Jon,
What a well stated comment. Reading it empowered me. I think you nailed it when you said that we may never see our returns in our investment. Since we can’t put a number on our investment, the society does not see it necessary to compensate us for our work, whether it be monetarily or with respect. Yet, we keep on trucking. Thank goodness for teachers like you.
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:28 pm
When you actually sit down and think about our power and influence – THAT IS INSPIRING! We are so fortunate to be in the positions that we are in. We have the pleasure of being present when kids overcome obstacles and achieve greatness. You hit the nail on the head with what you wrote. Thank you!
By the way, I just read your blog to a future teacher and what you wrote truly inspired her!
April 29th, 2008 at 1:16 am
Well said! That should be included as a quote for the retreat with the new group! Jacqueline