“Lessen Plan: Their real value is lessoning.”

It is perverse, disgusting, obscene, unfair, unconscionable and ludicrous how unfairly teachers are paid. There, I’ve said it.

What lesson are we teaching as we systematically lessen the value of teachers and holistic education across the board: removal of teachers, removal of music programs, removal of art programs, removal of adequate and competitive salaries to attract the best, brightest and most passionate talent?

All the politically motivated agendas are nonsense; it crisscrosses across all party lines. And please spare me from more of those austere (bored) board executives bemoaning “the fiscal challenges we face” rhetoric, while increasing dollars for sports facilities and larger parking lots. And I wonder if our resources are best spent on trying to keep prayer in schools, instead of maybe praying that our schools can ignite and release their God-given sense of curiosity and wonder. Besides, the Latin translation of the word, educate, is to “draw out”…not to “cram in.”

The bigger question: What value do we really assign to the gifts of illumination, commitment and sacrifice that teachers bring to school every day? I could offer a number of arguments supporting my opinion, but the following email says it best. My dearest friend is a third-grade teacher at a “progressive” private school in Nashville where she has taught for the last fourteen years. I go out of my way to extol and praise her exhaustive efforts, particularly after a patience-challenging day of her attempting to nurture, love and cultivate the lives of these (energetic) eight-year-olds.

January 6, 2010
To: Brian
Subject: Why I do what I do.

This is why I do what I do...and to be able to say, "I really do make a difference." Thank you, God, for this gifting and these moments.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Helen Date: Tue, Jan 5, 2010 at 9:06 PM
Subject: this afternoon
To: Lynn

Ok, so I'll try to get the exact conversation: After we saw you in the 21st Ave parking lot:

Isla: I love Ms. McKay. She's the best teacher I've ever had.

H: That's great...It's funny because my friend, Elaine, from Atlanta who I went to high school and college with called me today, and she asked about you, and I was telling her that you are someone who is both my friend and probably the best teacher I've known....
But…why do you say you love her?

I: Because she just tells you...this is how it's going to be, and there is nothing to worry about. She just tells you what you're going to learn and you don't have to worry about whether it's right or wrong.

H: So, the way she teaches is very confident?

I: Yeah. And also, she seems to know how to teach you things like she would want them to be taught...like if she was learning them herself, that's how she would want them taught...She kind of talks you through how she might think about figuring things out....(silent pause)...."meanwhile" she seems to know that kids learn things in different ways, so she'll give a couple of different examples so everybody can understand..."

H: That is so cool, Isla. I'm so glad you feel that way..."

___________________________________

....Lynn, to hear that from not only my daughter, but also to get to hear that view of any student in your class is truly awesome!!!! I hope you can fully appreciate it. You are absolutely an exceptional teacher. Thank you for teaching me so much when I was teaching and for teaching my daughter.

I'm glad she gets it.... Helen
Lesson earned.
Lesson learned?
For emphasis.
(b)