Do You Believe?

Today, I was in an all day teacher inservice on the WASL (Washington Assessment of Student Learning) scores, data, ayp (adequate yearly progress) and curriculum.

To start off our inservice, my principal showed us a very powerful video. This video is powerful because it shows a young 5th grader in the Dallas, TX school district addressing the 20,000 staff on behalf of the 157,000 students within that district. He thanks the teachers and staff for their hardwork and for believing in him and his peers. This video touched me deeply (brought tears to my eyes).

I work day in and day out in a third grade classroom hoping to touch at least one student on a daily basis either through learning with an 'ah-ha' moment where the lightbulb goes on and they get 'it' or on a personal level where maybe I have helped them solve a problem or I have just been a shoulder for them to lean on. In this day and age, many people don't seem to value or support public education like they used to. People believe that the educational system is failing us and they are so quick to blame the teachers - the ones in the trenches day in and day out working in overcrowded classrooms, getting paid minimal wages, working long hours without extra pay (many of you know you wouldn't do that), getting slammed with needed to bring their students to standard, no support from parents and the list goes on. I tell you what - I am HAPPY to do and feel PRIVILEGED to be in this profession, almost chosen in a way.

After watching this video, please do not be so quick to pass judgement on all of us and the students we work with on a daily basis. We do love our job, but the one thing I ask for is a little respect and trust in the fact that I do know what I am doing and am hoping to prepare your child not only for the next grade level, but also the 'real world.' I just don't teach the curriculum handed to me and that would be reading, writing, spelling, grammar, phonics, math, science, social studies and art; but I also teach respect, manners and common decency.

We are days away from electing our next president and if you live in WA, our next governor. When doing so, please continue to look at their views on the economy, the war in Iraq and other domestic issues. Please, please, please do not forget education when looking at our next leader. (here is where I get on my soap box, if I haven't been already!) Two leaders that I am a huge advocate for and hope that you will vote for as well are Senator Barack Obama and re-elect Governor Christine Gregoire. They both support education and value our teachers, something that has definitely gone by the wayside. Please select someone that values education because we all know that teachers are helping educate and prepare the future leaders of America.

Here is the link for the video: http://www.dallasisd.org/keynote.htm

Thank you for listening and please pass on the video to others, it is very powerful and profound!