The Real Number of Hours Teachers Work in One Eye-Opening Graphic

Interesting read . . .

The Real Number of Hours Teachers Work in One Eye-Opening Graphic by Brandon Weber

What are your thoughts?

Ending the Year in Education

The end of the school year means different things and brings about different emotions in the world of education.

For students:
Children of all ages are happy to be finishing school and heading into summer.
Some children are fearful of what the summer might bring.  They are not in happy, safe homes.  Some don't know when they will eat their next meal. Some are just afraid of making the change from one teacher/grade level/school to the next. Some are happy and excited for what the new year will bring.

For teachers:
Teachers with all years of experience are happy to be finishing school and heading into summer.
Some are ready to correct all the things they want to change and have learned throughout the year.  Some are ready for a change--students, grade level, administrators, school, or district. Some are looking forward to making new things and attending professional development to broaden and strengthen their skills to start fresh in the fall.

Administrative changes bring fear and/or excitement.

When I begin school in the fall, while working on a campus, I will be working for my 6th principal.  Each one had their own style and way of managing.  For the most part, I knew where I stood, if I was doing a good job, and how to prepare for the following year.  I was seen as a leader on campus, and was given wonderful opportunities to grow and learn. I knew what my job/position would be when summer ended.

We learned of our administrative (principal) change about a month ago.  There have been rumors, fears, excitement, and all kinds of other emotions expressed since hearing that news.  The biggest concern has been what everyone will be teaching/doing come fall and where rooms will be and if room changes will be made.  With each administrative change, these fears surface, but it has been a little different this year.  There has not been a principal change on my current campus in about a decade.  Really, that doesn't happen much in education any more.  Principal changes are made every 3-5 years.  The majority of the people on my campus have never been through a principal change, and they have been a little nervous.  Today, we got an email telling folks what room they will be in and on what team.  I have already received one phone call, a teacher not too panicked, and a few texts.  We shall see what tomorrow brings when we step on campus after these changes have been announced.  For me, when I left campus each May/June, I always knew what I would be doing come August.  I'm not so sure this year.  Yeah, that is a little stressful, but I will continue to lean on God that He has me where He needs me doing what He wants me to do, and if He wants me to make a change, He will lead me.

Are Teachers Overpaid?

Last night, I read the following article.  I thought it was great, so I wanted to share.

The Courage of Teachers by LZ Granderson

Tornadoes and Schools

Yesterday, Moore, Oklahoma was flattened by an F-5 tornado yesterday around school dismissal time.  Two elementary schools were demolished with children inside.  So far, seven children have been declared dead, while many more are missing.

When I arrived home and began watching the television footage, it took my breath away when I saw the school, and the reporter said that students in Kindergarten through third grade were in one school and were missing.  They said that the third grade was in one particular part of the school, and  . . . it no longer existed.  Nothing was there except a slab of concrete.  I nearly burst into tears.  Does that mean the entire grade level was swept away?  Looking at the destruction, how did anyone survive?  What were the students thinking?  What were the teachers thinking?

When there is a school disaster, people immediately start questioning.  Why did they keep the students in the school when they knew a storm was coming?  Why didn't they send the students home? Wouldn't the students have been safer at their own homes? Why did they hold school that day knowing a storm was coming?

Educators have to make the best decisions they can with the information they have.  Their ultimate goal is to keep everyone safe.  Period.  The educators in Moore did what they could with the time and resources they had.  Right or wrong.

There are stories of teachers lying on top of students to shield them.  Teachers praying out loud.  Teachers yelling that everything would be OK as the tornado was overhead.

Everyday, teachers spend more waking time with students than most parents.  They put their students first and would lay down their lives for them.  We have seen it time and time again.

Once a teacher has a student in class, that student becomes like that teacher's child.  The teacher not only cares for the student during those 9 months he/she has them, but the teacher wonders about the students for years (even a lifetime) after the students walk out the door.

Educators do what they can to shield and protect students.

My heart and prayers go out to the families who have lost loved ones, especially children, and to the educators who did what they could and lost lives in their schools.

Teacher Appreciation Week

Today marks the beginning of Teacher Appreciation Week.  I have fond memories of the teachers who taught me K-12.  I can recall each one by name, see their faces, and think of something about them or their class.  Some, I still see from time to time.

I can remember many teachers with whom my mom taught for 30 years.  Well, I didn't come along until year 8 or so.  :-) 

I had many fabulous, memory worthy college professors; some I still speak to today. 

I met some great educators while working at a museum in high school and college.

I had an amazing student teaching experience, so my student teacher teacher holds a special place in my heart.

I have worked with some amazing teachers and administrators over the last 16 years.  Some I feel are like family.

All of these people have left an impression on me, and I thank them for all they have done for their students and for me.

I know what teachers do.  I know how hard their jobs are.  It is easy for non-educators to think teaching is so easy or they get holidays and summers off, but the job is so much more than that.  Teachers make thousands of decisions a day, impact children (positively and/or negatively), teach state mandated objectives, and so much more.  Teachers are educators, mothers, nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists, coaches, caregivers, judges, managers, supervisors, facilitators, behaviorists, scientists, historians, readers, librarians, writers, mathematicians, heroes, comforters, leaders, inspiration, explorers, collaborators, counselors, and more . . .

Has a teacher left a lasting impression on you?