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Plane Crashes and Education

This past week was Homecoming Week at my high school. As someone who was intentionally removed from the events that make up high school memories, this week is entertaining for me. It is a week long competition between the different classes, and the students and teachers easily get involved in the festivities. As a class sponsor, I am in the thick of things.

All week, my students commented on my visible lack of sleep. We all worked very long hours preparing display boards and skits and participating in physical competitions. Despite the fact that it completely takes over my life...and I work 14 hour days...and my dishes don't get washed...and I cannot even return text messages in a timely manner...I enjoy the process of getting to know my students and watching them work.

My students this year did a fantastic job. They won the board competition, came in second in the skit, and tied (although we're contesting this) for first place in the physical competition. I'm so proud of them. Their skit was witty and well organized. Their board was gorgeous. They worked like a team.

As I washed the piles of dirty dishes this morning, I thought about a conversation I had with some other sponsors at last night's game. Each statement started with "I" and "we". What struck me is how easily we become intertwined with our students' performance.

This is why I literally cry when my students do poorly on tests. This is why I cringe when I have to pass back an essay that was poorly written. This is why I encourage and push and remind them how talented they are. I take my work personally. Deep within me, I feel that their performance is a reflection of my performance. I want them to do well.

I'm not alone in this sentiment. Most of the educators I know feel the same.

This is what bothers me about the current wave of "anti-teacherism" in this country. It's easy for an outsider to look at our schools and pass judgment on what is a very small minority of teachers. Yes, there are teachers who show up for a paycheck and just assign simple work from a textbook. Believe me when I say they are the minority.

And yet, because this minority gets all the attention in the media and political pulpits, my work is being judged. It reminds me of a comment made to me years ago by an airplane mechanic who listened to me fears about flying for the first time. "It's very safe. The only reason crashes make the news is because they are so rare that when they do happen, it's big news."

I wish more people could recognize this. I wish more people could step back and see the amazing things at work inside our schools. No, it's not perfect. There are many things I would change if I had the power to do so. But I know the good that is there. I know the people who truly care about your children and refer to them as "my kids". And we love them and want the best for them and often fight for what is right for them.

So as I try to get my life back in order and enjoy my more relaxed schedule this weekend, I will think about "my kids" and your kids. I'm so proud of mine.

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