I write today in reference to some pretty hurtful comments by POTUS' son.
Teachers work so hard every single day for their kids, including their summers "off".
Teachers wake up anywhere form the hours of 5-6 am to commute to their schools, perhaps bring their own kids to school, preparing lessons, grading papers, cleaning their classrooms.
Teachers teach anywhere from 30 to 60 to 130 kids in one day. They have to remember all these names and strengths and challenges and lives and struggles and hopes and dreams. Teachers serve as mentors, nurses, therapists, educators and examples. No matter what our moods or mental states or stress levels, our students are watching. We are examples to every single student we see everydays, even to those we do not teach. We are more than the stereotype of those who "can't do" or those who "enjoy summers off". We fight four kids to learn to be whole people, not just test takers. We do more in one day than some do in a week. Teachers do some important work that should not be diminished. Our students are the future and teachers are the leaders to show them the way. We teachers matter and shouldn't ever forget the importance of our passion and love for our students and our profession.
I was away from my computer all day today due to the snow day. Therefore, I didn't know what Jr. said so I went online and read about it in The Washington Post, https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2019/02/12/donald-trump-jr-you-dont-have-be-indoctrinated-by-these-loser-teachers-that-are-trying-sell-you-socialism/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.6db1c3021285, first. I mean, C'MON! Yet another low condemning those who work to make students' lives better in the present and in the future. ARGH!
ReplyDelete(I'm really restraining myself here. I have much more to say, but not in this forum.)
I expect vitriol from Donald Trump jr, and from his father. It’s a wonder any of Trump’s children behave decently considering the environmental influence of their parents. I include all the wives in this assessment.
ReplyDeleteWhat concerns me more is the 1 in 3 AFT teachers who voted fir Trump and the 1 in 4 NEA teachers who voted for him. It’s their influence on children that worries me. They did, after all, vote for a known sexual harasser, a known bigot, a known liar, a known mismanager of money, a man known for his own questionable moral and ethical values. I could go on.
I do nothing in my classroom to normalize Trump, and was shocked recently when a very conservative student told me I’m objective. He knows my stance on Trump. It’s not a secret. I think high school teachers such as myself have to own our biases w/ our students and allow students to own theirs. We fool no one when we pretend to sit the fence. I might even go into class tomorrow and use Junior’s comments in a mini-lesson in argument fallacies. I’m sure my students will see this as indoctrination in critical thinking, and I’m okay w/ that.
I share your frustration in regards to the callous and inappropriate comments coming from the Trumps. You so rightly point out the numerous, unappreciated aspects of teaching, as I have always viewed this profession commensurate with a combination of community service and a labor of love. Never lose faith, as your work matters!
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