Public schools and teachers are often targeted by politicians and others who have their own agendas. These tend to make headlines and stir up controversies.
Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters has been in the news frequently for his attempts to remove certification for Norman Public Schools, to cancel the teaching license of a librarian, and to ban certain books in school libraries.
Efforts to use taxpayer money to fund private schools have also been a source of concern for public school administrators and teachers. This would mean less funding for public schools because of lower enrollment. Vouchers would mostly benefit only the most affluent families.
Politicians call for “School choice.” That is a misnomer. We have always had school choice with public schools, private schools, and home schooling. These politicians now want taxpayers to provide the funds for private and religious schools.
As a retired public-school educator, perhaps I can shed some light on what teachers experience daily. What is it like in the classroom? Are teachers receiving the support they need? Is teaching an easy profession, or does it have unique and difficult challenges?
Until about 1985, those who enrolled in Teacher Education programs in Oklahoma colleges were not required to observe or do any student teaching until the final six weeks before graduating. I know personally of individuals who decided after their first classroom experience that teaching was not something they wished to do. They went into different careers.
It is different now. Students who wish to become teachers do some in-class observations in public-school classrooms very early after enrollment. This helps them decide if this is a good choice for them. Again, I personally know of several who realized another career was in their best interest.
Here is a list of requirements that teachers follow:
• Address and adapt to diverse learning styles
• Maintain classroom management and record keeping
• Deal with bullying and other bad behaviors
• Incorporate technology
• Meet curriculum standards
• Effectively assess student progress
• Engage students’ involvement in lessons
• Handle the massive workload • Involve parents in student learning
• Teach students who have special needs
• Adjust and compensate for lack of resources
• Motivate students all day
• Maintain professional development obligations With all those burdens, we should not be surprised at the high attrition rate among teachers. Burnout, discouragement, insufficient pay, and lack of support are often mentioned by teachers who leave the profession.
It might be helpful if school board members, politicians, and others who criticize our teachers and administrators were required to be substitute teachers for one week. This would enable them to better understand the challenges.
It was my privilege to serve under four principals and three superintendents. They were eminently qualified, and they cared deeply about the well-being of all the students. My daily interactions with colleagues revealed those same qualities.
I once stopped by the principal’s office to deliver something while he was on the phone. When he finished that conversation, he motioned me in. Tears were flowing down his cheeks. He said, “I had to tell a boy’s parent that he was caught with marijuana at school today, and what we had to do about it.”
Such incidents as that show how educators care about the students and the difficult challenges that teachers face.
It is easy to criticize our public schools and teachers. Those complaints can often be described as unfounded when the reality is known.
Compare nations that provide free public education to every child against those who do not do this. That is all the proof needed to show the importance of our schools. Countries who do not have these remain as Third World types with lower living standards.
Teaching is not just a job. It is a calling.
If you could read this, thank a teacher.