We missed a couple days of school here in North Carolina. We had more ice than snow, and regardless how much Northern driving experience you have, there’s no way you’re getting around safely on a highway that’s morphed into a skating rink. And so we hunker down. It’s expected once a year down in these parts. Points north of us have been hit harder. Snow piles up akin to what I remember from my years in Minnesota. Record breaking snowfall means a week of cancelled school. We missed two weeks in a row last year due to some pesky snow with ice layered on top like slippery fondant. I feel the pain of parents struggling with antsy kids and demanding jobs. Wrangling kids is no cake walk.
It’s on these days we find ourselves valuing teachers even more. Amiright? But here’s the thing, teachers are not babysitters. Their job is harder than mine. I have two kids to manage and I complain about that. Imagine what our teachers do every day with grace, joy, and pride. On snow days many teachers venture out to deliver food and coats to students who are in need. They call to deliver news of assignments or to offer tutoring help via Skype. They never quite shirk their responsibilities.
As fresh snow darkens to muck and school resumes, I am left with fresh reverence for teachers. As a country and as a state (I’m talking to you North Carolina GOP), we continue to belittle teachers. We are telling them that they, the very foundation of where learning begins and higher thinking evolves, are not worthy. We complain about teachers, schools, school closings, curriculum, snow days, bell schedules, grades, tests, homework, the list goes on… Alas, our ire is misdirected.
We should be pissed at the legislators. Teachers work amidst extraordinarily difficult circumstances. No one does more with so little. Yet at every turn our legislature demeans the profession and slashes compensation. Teachers provide inspiration and encouragement and even a safe haven for students who have no such thing at home. Teachers provide nurturing and comfort that many students don’t experience in their personal lives for myriad reasons. Teachers are our children’s champions and cheerleaders. They lift spirits, raise hopes, and boost confidence. It is teachers who leave an indelible mark on our lives. I happily still stay in touch with several high school teachers, and I’m toasting my 30th reunion this year. My own sons have had marvelous teachers who have become personal family friends.
When is the last time you had such reverence for a politician? I’m lucky to know a few, but none in the NC GOP. Thankfully it’s an election year so we can vote those cronies out. Our community and our kids deserve better.
It’s so very easy to point to all the ways teachers impact our outcome. Now it’s time to pay them a worthy income.