Coming from a Veteran Teacher

The wonderful woman who was my support and guide while I student-taught, visited my classroom this Friday. As a cooperative teacher, she has had many young people under her wing, to begin and learn about teaching. Several were hired in the same school district where she teaches. There was a small emergency in her school, following a town water-main break, and municipal shut-down of the water supply to the schools at around the noon hour. So she and all the other secondary staff were told to report to another district HS and the students were sent home @ noon.

We talked for all of about 15 minutes, and I did most of the talking. She mentioned that her student teacher, currently training for her certification, was meeting with indifference, rudeness and students who regularly commented that they "didn't care for" or "about" her. She is pummeled with rude words of students that are clear indignity toward the person. The students' rude comments of disrespect will affect this 29 year old who is trying to make better of herself from attaining a career, and overall, as a single mom, affect her for a lifetime.

It is so hard to stand back and watch what the students are doing to the profession. Basically, potential teachers and new teachers are running from this type of career, because one can't make enough money to deal with the issues and attitudes faced day in and day out, that go to the core of someone's dignity and insult it. Veteran teachers are saying - "Don't you just hate going to work?" You want to reply, "oh it isn't so bad, it could be worse," and then you realize how bad it has become, and no hope for improvement.

I wish I had the answer. God, only knows.