"Teachers don't care enough."
"Why do I need to provide for the other kids in the class?"
"I'm not sending my child with anything because I'm tired of picking up the slack!"
Because I am not about to engage with some of the chaos on Facebook or Twitter, I watch the videos and read the comments and sit in my room yelling at these people through my computer screen. They cannot hear me, of course. Just like they can't hear a teacher's alarm clock go off at 5:00 AM so they can get to school earlier and set up a fun activity. Just like they can't hear the cha-ching of a teacher's bank app on her phone letting her know that her account is almost empty because of the recent purchases made for her classroom. Just like they cannot hear the "oohs" and "aahs" of their children when a teacher brings in brownies that she's stayed up late making or passes out a brand new book to each child that she bought. They're probably too busy sitting on Facebook to hear those things.
Those videos and posts sting. They attack the profession that I have dedicated my life to do. They question the intention of teachers. They blame districts and schools that work hard to provide what they can to make sure children are educated fairly and appropriately. It's time that a teacher threw her hat into the ring... So here I am.
I realize that I am just one teacher, but I know that someone cannot successfully do this job if they're not all in. All in means that I love my students with every part of me. I share more time with them during the week than I do any other friends or family members. There is a reason that I call them "my kids." Our classroom is a home. I spend anywhere from 40-70 hours a week in that room. Nights, weekends, early mornings. I've spent all summer making trips to the Dollar Store, Target, and Wal-Mart trying to find ways to decorate our classroom, because it's such a special place. Not only do we become a family in that classroom, we learn and grow in that classroom.
In order to learn and grow, students need things. They cannot write without pencils or pens. They cannot glue without glue sticks. They cannot create masterpieces without crayons and markers. While I'd like to think that I can give my students whatever they need, my bank account sometimes disagrees, which is where parents come in. ONE TIME, at the beginning of the year, it is suggested that students bring supplies for the first day of school. Yes, sometimes these lists ask for multiples of one item. Have you ever seen a Kindergartener try to glue something down? They have this wicked way of using the whole dang stick for one project. Have you ever been in a room with middle school students using EXPO markers? They leave the tops off like nobody's business. If you can bring the 10 requested EXPO markers instead of just 1, we will hug you. It's not just picking up the slack or providing for students who can't afford supplies. It's a necessity. Having backup supplies to refill quickly and efficiently allows for teachers to get back to what we get paid for: TEACHING.
My job is to educate students. The world we live in is surrounded by technology that is advancing faster than we can keep up. This means that when my current class of 3rd graders graduates college in the year 2030, they will be lightyears beyond what we currently have technology-wise. We can't keep teaching them with pencils and notebook paper. We're asked to integrate technology, which means that in some cases, students might to have their own set of headphones because *EW* earwax. We're making it possible for them to be successful and functional adults with those Crayola crayons and colored folders.
I promise we know what we're doing. We do care enough. We care a whole dang lot. I completely understand that sometimes, these lists may seem outrageous and unrealistic, but there is a reason for them. I know they can get expensive, and I promise I feel that, too. I'm not going to go into the 30+ receipts I've collected this summer while shopping for school. I get it. All I am asking is that we come together on this. After all, teachers are just trying to change a generation over here. No big deal. The least people can do is see that and understand that it really is all for the kids.
Matthew 5:16 says, "In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven." It is not my intention to start something negative here, but more to start something positive so that people see the school supply saga from a different perspective. Instead of complaining or getting upset, be the light. Don't take to social media to express your frustrations. It's almost guaranteed that someone will get hurt.
And finally, if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. If Kindergarteners can understand that, maybe it'll catch on.
Meg