Teacher Tuesday 

“Russians are very cynical” said my immigrant friend. Now a US citizen for many decades, she still remembers her first almost twenty years in a regime that controlled and oppressed its people. She shudders to see what is happening in the US today.

Many are greatly distressed by the potential loss of the democratic system in America. We are watching an attack on freedom of the press that could lead to a Russian-like state right here on our own soil. It seems we are being co-opted by Putin via the internet and control of our new government leaders.

Teachers, yes teachers, have two important clues to defying this transition and battling cynicism.

1 – Teachers know how to get up every day and keep fighting in a clearly broken system. I’ve never seen such determination as a person who has decided to stick it out when the funding isn’t there, the support isn’t there, when the job just keeps getting bigger and bigger and the students more difficult with each year.

2 – Teachers also show us what not to do when they enable that broken system to continue by working massive overtime, spending their own money to make up for funding shortfalls and attempting to be all things to all kids, counselor, nurse, social worker and mentor. Unfortunately, this enables the broken system that is taking them down.

This happens because people who want to be teachers are some of the kindest, caring and inspiring folks on the planet. Because they are overwhelmed with too many obligations, they are unable to focus enough time and energy on making the system better. This is not their fault as they work hard to make these changes but the support, of our government and our society, is not there.

We, as a nation, are in similar circumstances.

We must find a way to support one another, drop the need for being right, arguing at the slightest offense, and find common ground. There are far more people who want the system to work. We are a powerful force. Let’s make sure our voice is heard. How would you make that happen?