The State of Education

     So, as many of us head into Spring Break and the testing season, it's hard sometimes to see the forest through the trees.  I say to you that if you are frustrated with the current systems, flabbergasted by bureaucrats, or pulling your hair out with benchmarks and data collecting...know you are not alone.  I know that my pay will never be enough, especially coming out of a recession.  I know that there will never be enough time in the day to complete everything I want.  I know that I won't meet all the needs of my students and get them to where they need to be, especially with class sizes growing!
What I do know is that:

• I'm committed to teaching even though public opinion is not very positive.
• I love teaching my students.
• I will still try to be creative, flexible, and engaged myself.
• I will continue to try to meet all the needs of my students...to challenge them, to encourage them to take risks, to think outside the box, and to care about each other and our world.  
• Did I say, I love teaching and my job?

     I get why teachers like the one in the video below have had enough, but when is the public going to wake up and realize that teachers like this gentleman are not the problem, but the solution. We all care about the future of education, and are committed to seeing our students succeed in what they choose to do in life.  I hope you don't find yourself in this situation this year, but understand if you do.
May we all see the changes in education that need to happen soon, so we don't lose anymore talented and professional teachers!