A Billion and One Cheers for K-12 Educators. They are the Nation's Champions...Warriors...Do-Getters...Achievers. They Deserve So Much More Financially.

I do my math every year, and I'm likely to be off a few years. I know that I've been teaching for 31 years, but I've also been in school for even longer, so I imagine this is my 47th year of schooling. I imagine I entered in Westmoreland in 1976-ish with Mrs. Salamadino, and I have never take a break since. I've been in school since I was 4 or 5 years old. I'm now 53. School is my norm, and it is unlikely that I'll ever know a career outside of it.

Last night, I had dinner with Justin and Joanna, as she celebrates another year of teaching English in Bridgeport. She's my KY lil' sister and I can't believe she's been out in the field that long...still moving and shaking, and still pushing against the boundaries they place our way. Teaching is an impossible task, but you find your people, especially in K-12, to make it possible. The miracle workers are all there. Higher education has some perks, but the real geniuses, giants, movers, and shakers remain in K-12 education. They just don't get the recognition.

I like to say that I've kept the pace similar from age 16 until now, and I've had many roles and occupations along the ways. The truth is, with the work ethic and time dedicated to achievement, nothing was as stressful, meaningful, or impactful as working in K-12 schools. The money is criminal, the disrespect from the nation at large is alarming, but when you think about labor that is the most effective and most necessary, I'll give it to my K-12 teachers every time (and I'll play my tiny violins for academics who still feel their self-importance is triumphant over the work of a teacher -- I call nonsense. You who teach in higher education have no idea).

So, here I am in year 47, ready to teach more graduate and undergraduate courses to prepare the next generation of educators. Truth is, the work being done is to prepare better humanity...more hope...more possibility. I'm tired of it all, have learned the shenanigans, but still believe in the occupation for the beautiful young people we teach. 

I'll be instructing on Tuesdays and Thursdays this year, spending every other day trying to bring resources to K-12 educators who are obligated to several hours with minimal resources. My labor is for them.  Here's to everyone beginning another semester with learners in their care. May you not be exploited by the mechanisms that control us, may you sustain healthy skepticism of their exploitation, and may you impact a life for two to live a better life.

That is wall we hope for.