For several weeks now, I've been trying to write a post in defense of public schools. While my ideas were succinct, they never seemed to come out right on the page. Then it hit me. Just explain why I choose to work in public schools.
1) It's a calling - It would be very difficult to have a fulfilling career as a public school educator without a calling. The challenges are just too great. I'm always amused by those who write books about their experiences in public education, but are no longer in the field. That says a lot to me. I started in education in 1993 as a substitute teacher. I had just finished a degree in Industrial Hygiene and, after working in the field, knew it wasn't for me. For several years, there had been a nagging voice in the back of my mind telling me I needed to be a teacher, but I had ignored it. It was during a funeral for a young man I had met at a church youth camp that my calling was cemented. This boy had been stabbed in the head during a gang initiation. For some reason, I thought I could make a difference in the lives of young people. That and the fact that the kids in the youth group told me I acted like their teachers. So, one day while praying, I told God I would surrender to this calling and made the decision to enter the education arena. Less than five minutes later, I got a call offering me a very lucrative position as an Industrial Hygienist. I turned it down. I had passed the test. Within two weeks, I was substitute teaching and I had never felt more alive. There was a kinship with teachers and administrators and soon I was being requested almost daily. Before long, I had entered the district's Alternative Certification Program and was on my way. My first four years were spent in a very high poverty inner city school. Every day was challenging and, had the calling not been there, I would have given up early on. After four years and the death of a student due to gang violence, I did leave the profession. I tried to run. But, you can't run from a calling. I ended up overseas directing cultural projects that were mostly affiliated with public schools. This was not by design, but helped bring me back to the educational arena. It worked. I've been back in the school system for the last thirteen years. During that time, I've seen lots of people come and go for a variety of reasons. I've also seen people who stay despite disparaging setbacks. In each case, I believe there is a calling, or lack thereof, to be a public school educator and that calling cannot be denied.
2. It is challenging - Being a public school educator is the hardest job I've ever loved. Public school educators, whether classroom teachers, paraprofessionals, or administrators, regularly deal with issues most people might never face in a lifetime. It is challenging to teach a child math who has spent the night listening to adults argue. It is difficult to help a student learn to write when they are concerned about whether they will have food tonight. Educators must also be prepared to make multiple adjustments throughout the day in order to ensure students success. A typical teacher makes at least a hundred quick decisions every day, probably many more than that. Teaching is not the only thing we do. Often, we act as parents, mediators, counselors, or simply a listening ear. We must have the patience and insight to know if a child is acting out because they are being challenging or they are tired, hunger, scared or confused. It is the challenge of working in public education that brings me back day after day. That and the multitude of successes I see every day in the lives of students.
3. I love to learn - An educator who doesn't have a thirst for learning doesn't need to be in the profession. It is hard to help foster life-long learning in students if you are not doing it yourself. 'Nuff said.
4. I love working with kids - Kids are fun. They keep you on your toes and ensure that there is never a dull moment. One minute they act tough and the next show you the tooth they just lost. Without a love, a real passionate love, for children and helping them succeed, a person would burn out quickly. Many times in my career, the only thing that kept me coming through the door each day was knowing that the kids in my class were counting on me to be there. When you love them, you will do anything not to let them down.
5. I really like teachers - Teachers are just cool people. Now that I'm an administrator, I spend a lot of time in classrooms and it amazes me the work that teachers do every day. They help kids learn despite the baggage that so many bring to school every day. They have a special insight to see beyond the facade that kids put on to try to fit in. They are willing to work long and hard to see that every child gets the chance to be successful and reach their full potential. What better place to be than in a building filled with teachers who are passionate about their craft and about the kids they are blessed to work with?
6. Why public schools - The public school system in our country is given a task that many private companies and schools would balk at. Namely, we are tasked with teaching every child to the highest level possible. Every child means "EVERY" child. None are excluded. Recently, I was with a private school teacher who was complaining about a child. "They didn't check her discipline records before enrolling her and now she's causing problems." I wanted to tell her that, in public schools, we don't have the luxury of denying someone admittance because they don't meet our standards. We teach them all. In my career I've have had the privilege of working with children from every part of the educational spectrum. I've had students who would be considered geniuses and others who had the mental capacity of an infant. I've worked with children who were well mannered as well as those who were so emotionally disturbed that you never knew what the next moment would bring. I've had students who were extremely articulate and those who could not speak a word of English. I've worked with students diagnosed with ADHD, dyslexia, autism, and a wide range of medical and emotional issues. I've worked with children who were parents, drug addicts, rape/abuse victims, and active gang members. My experience is reflective of many educators. Yet, each day we show up and, despite the challenges, do everything we can to help these children succeed.
Public schools are not always easy places to work. They have many challenges that are not faced by private institutions. Still, every day, thousands of public schools employees (teachers, administrators, counselors, nurses, custodians, aides, cafeteria staff, etc) show up and give everything they've got to ensure that each child who walks through the door, no matter their background, has a chance to reach their full potential. I can't imagine doing anything else. That is why I choose to be a public school educator.
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