A Teacher's Heart

Warning, the following is not a light-hearted/ funny post. This is real bidness ya'll:

So, the last week before winter break, the bond issue we so desperately need was voted on by the patrons of our district. The basic premise is this:

Bond passes= close schools, consolidate and build new schools, minimal loss of jobs and programs, rainbows, unicorns, and happy fairy dust.

Bond fails=close schools, consolidate in old schools,200+ people lose their jobs, higer class size, plague of locuts, and weeping and gnashing of teeth.

In our state, the law says a bond has to pass with 60% yes vote. Ours failed with a 59.93% yes vote. Once the numbers were crunched, it came down to a difference of 15 votes. 15!

So now, we are looking at rift in faculty and staff that could go as high as 6 years. It's depressing, and hard, and many have shed tears over it.

But I have to say, this is my third year of teaching, and the third year that I don't know if I will have a job next year. For years, we've been told of teacher shortages, (which at some level is still a problem) and that education is a safe, secure profession, yet I've had to change schools every year because I my lack of tenure/budget cuts.

I want to teach. If I could have all my bills paid for me, I'd do it for free. Teaching is not a job, it's a calling; a calling to make a difference, to change the future. So it hurts my heart to see the sad state of education, not only in my district, but at the state and national level as well. Why are we letting go of those who are called to positively impact the lives of children?  Why will I, and several other colleagues, have to start looking for work in the middle of a recession that is probably outside our field of study?Why is education important enough to talk about, but not important enough to fund?

I love my job. Why can't I keep it?

Shopping Spree

Sorry it's taken so long to post, here is a story from the last few weeks before break:

December is here, and for almost every kindergartener that means presents. We've discussed the history and true meaning behind the December holidays, as well as the joys of giving presents (quite a hard concept to grasp when you're five!). To support the idea that giving is often just as good, if not better, than getting, our PTA hosts "Giftland ", a shop where students can buy small trinkets as gifts for family members. To a kindergartner, you may as well be shopping on Madison Ave.

Yesterday, I took the students who had brought money down to Giftland to purchase their presents. Little Dennis had $20 to spend, a veritable fortune in kindergarten terms. With the help of a PTA mom, he looked around, carefully selecting the items he wanted, buying multiples of many things like yoyos and rings and flashlights. At the exhaustion of his $20 budget, he had two plastic bags bursting with dollar store treasures. As the PTA mom helped him tie the bacgs close, he looks up ever so sweetly and says, "Hey, where's my change?" PTA mom,, looks a bit confused and reminds him that he spent all his money, and that if he wants change, he'll have to put something back. "Would you like to put something back?" she inquires. "No," he replies with the space cadet stare, "but I would like some change."

Que the laugh track.

I love my job.

Success!

It's been a rather interesting past few days. All of the kindergarten classes have been in rare form. From puking during snack time, to destroying valuable collector's items, to throwing all out tantrums, I am pretty sure I've seen and heard it all so far this week. It's almost enough to make me want to throw in the towel.

But then they go and surprise me.

Today's goal was finishing up assessments for progress reports. I dreaded testing two particular students, both of which were on the lower end of the academic spectrum. I finally called them back today (individually), and was pleasently surprised. Scatch that, I had my socks blown completely off. Both kids whizzed through the assessment with confidence and near 100% accuracy! I wanted to get up and do a dance; I was so thrilled! Their smiles before going back to their previous activities were priceless. A much needed reminder of why I teach.

Man, I LOVE my job!