I'm just plain heartsick right now, I don't know another way to explain it. For all of us in our school district, we've known that things have been bleak for some time now, although it appears to get worse and worse every year. Last school year we all had to take 9 furlough days, I know other districts had to take more. We also dealt with layoffs, increased class sizes, and virtually no resources. In a way I didn't think it could get worse, but it has.
Initial pink slips went out to employees in our district who would possibly be laid off in March. Many were rescinded, but today, a number of teachers I work with and consider friends got the final notification that they're out of a job. There are a lot of factors that go into deciding who gets laid off, but seniority is one of them. The irony here is that some of the most talented, dedicated, and effective teachers ARE the newer ones, the younger ones, the ones with tons of energy and enthusiasm. This is not to say that I don't know a number of fabulous teachers that work their asses off too, but are on the older side and have done it for longer. But allow me to describe some of the teachers I know of who will be out of a job as of June 30th. A teacher who worked SO closely with me on a particular case that she and I were talking and texting after hours and weekends, just to keep each other informed about this child. A teacher that decided that starting an after school tutoring group would be a great idea, and who implemented it...for FREE. She herself, has a large family and children of her own to take care of, but is so concerned about our kids who need help that she was willing to volunteer her time. Another is so crazy, active, and dynamic that his kids can't take their eyes off him. He's creative, bright, and inventive, and pretty much defines thinking outside of the box. Another teacher, who no matter what is going on, can make me laugh until tears stream down my face. This is such a waste of incredible gifts and talent! In addition, we're losing numerous secondary counselors. How is that going to work? We all know that our kids in middle school and high school don't need any guidance or TLC, right? Not with the average age of girls becoming sexually active at 14 or so, not with kids just smoking weed on campuses with no regard to rules, or meth becoming a regular past time, not with school dances beginning to resemble porn movies. They'll be just fine. Right?
Truly legislators, WTF???
Some may think I'm grandstanding a tad, and that I really have no right to be so angry because I still have my job. The truth is that I am protected as a school psychologist, because we're tied to special education and federal mandates. But I'll tell you what...there is no way I will be able to do my job as well, or as effectively without these talented people in my midst. Nope, not possible, not without the support of these amazing people. I have never worked as hard in 14 years as I have these past two years, and I truly believe part of the reason is I've been trying to rise to the level of the dedication of these teachers. I'm blessed with two children who appear to learn fairly easily, at least so far. However, I'm so concerned about the kids who struggle...and it's going to get worse
There are some delightful people in our society who appear to feel that teaching is a piece of cake, a "part time job". One particular schmuck on Fox news claimed his mother was a teacher for 20 years and was done with her day at 2pm, and he remembers shopping with her the rest of the day. (sidenote to my right wing friends, this is one schmuck). On his show, Jon Stewart, the source of all good things, showed the clip of him saying this and replied, "Hmm. My mom was a teacher and I have vivid memories of her bringing work home, and she worked her ass off. Maybe YOUR mom was a shitty teacher." I can't express how much I loved that statement. For that schmuck, whose name escapes me, I challenge you. Take a trip up to South Sacramento and just make a one day attempt to teach in an elementary school. What will you do when a 3rd grader tells you to "fuck off"? What will you do when you bring this to the parent's attention, you're accused of racism? Or, even better, take a trip to the other areas I've worked in South Stockton. Good times to be had there. Go ahead, work in the school that was smack dab in the middle of the projects, and it was common knowledge that when it began to get dark, you LEAVE. Why? Because a number of people who live there get their kids off to school (or not), sleep all day, and then wake up and start partying. This is not a stereotype, this is a true story I got from a parent who was working her ass off to get her own children out of that environment. How will you deal with the parent who tells you sadly that she can't afford a new pair of glasses for her son who is damn near blind and rides his bike to school, only to see her drive off in her brand new Escalade? How will you respond when you ask a 2nd grader what he'd like to become when he grows up and he confidently replies with a shrug, "I'm just gonna sit on the couch and get my check!" Go ahead, Sir Schmuck, give it a try. Then there are the schools in the wealthier areas, I'm sure that would be a relief, correct sir? Well, those parents have lawyers, and they aren't afraid to use them. Any lack of achievement by their child is your fault, and they will email you every single day without fail, sometimes several times a day to make sure their precious Johnny is receiving the lion's share of your attention. To hell with the 25 other students in the class, NO other child is more important than their darling Johnny, who more often than not is a totally spoiled hell raiser. How easy and "part-time" is this job now, Schmuck?
Teachers do NOT go into this profession to have extra time off, and sure as shit don't do it for the money. They do it because they genuinely care about the future of our kids. And right now, California is chipping away, fairly rapidly, at our children's access to fabulous teachers. Supplemental programs? Drama, GATE (which I had my own child tested for today when there was no logical reason to), art, band...you know, those things we looked forward to as kids? GONE. It's all about test scores now, and this is not the fault of the teachers. There was a recent quote that stated California "ranking 49th out of 50 states is an indication of the state's deteriorating educational status in recent decades." This is an excerpt of "California at the Edge of a Cliff" by Thomas G. Mortenson. But wait...Californians are supposed to be progressive...no offense to any other states, but we're worse than, let's say, West Virginia?? Are we in Bizzaro World? Isn't California the home of Stanford, Cal, UCLA, and Cal Tech?? How is this happening? Well...perhaps, just perhaps, it may be due to the fact that we're axing awesome teachers, and narrowing the scope of what they can teach until it's as thin as a frayed, uninteresting thread. It's criminal. Our children are the ones who will suffer the most, and it's dreadful.
My dear, late father taught high school speech and debate for 37 years, and is no doubt quite disgruntled by these turns of events. He made a difference . At his memorial, older men would approach me and tell me that he kept them from killing themselves, getting hooked on drugs, and helped them become lawyers and lobbyists. They graduated before I was BORN. Now tell me how unimportant teachers are! My own favorite AP 9th grade teacher made a tremendous impact on me, and initially I couldn't stand her. I wanted to take regular English, I didn't feel like working that hard, but she refused to sign me out. You, dear Mrs. Ivory, wherever you are, taught me how to write and started my love of literature, which is a huge part of my soul now, at 41. At the time, I was 14. I remember watching her acting out the death scene in Hamlet with total horror...what a freak! Well, I love you, freak. And I also love Ms. Hayes (3rd grade), may she rest in peace. I love Mrs. Patterson (6th), Mrs. Ivory (9th), Mr. Moore (12th)...all of these individuals helped shape who I am.
I am saddened beyond what I can express that I will no longer have the honor of working alongside these angels who sacrifice so much for our babies. To my dear teacher friends who are facing this dreadful injustice...please do not think you haven't made a difference or are unappreciated. I SO admire you, because I couldn't do what you do. I don't expect this to be comforting right now, but I do believe that when one door closes, another opens. I hope the one that opens involves children, because you are all gifted, and please follow your passions. My thoughts, prayers, and unwavering support are all with you.
California, wake up.
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