Teachers in Raleigh: Speak even if your voice shakes!

This blog addresses the following: classroom management, working with exceptionalities, and technology in middle schools. But this week, I pause in support of teachers.

I was having dinner with eight teachers who work with children and who also teach lateral entry teachers in our state. They are exceptional teachers and they are magical. They are district and educational professionals, and they care about students and they care about teachers. They shared The attacks on teachers in blogs and postings because teachers are gathering in Raleigh.

Teachers around the country are speaking up and speaking out. This week, North Carolina, a right to work state, is making a Statement as well. School Boards in some districts canceled schools so teachers, administrators, and school board members can drive to Raleigh to make their voices heard. I do not hear School Boards saying, 'This is inconvenient.' What I hear is, 'Our teachers and our kids are worth it.'

We, or I, often hear, 'Speak for those who have no voice.' Most often we are talking about children:  those who are abused, or neglected, or under-served. But this week, it is the teachers in North Carolina who have been neglected and under-served, who have had no voice. The saddest commentary for any person or group is to say, 'You have no value.' The most liberating commentary is when those who have been marginalized are willing to stand up and speak and realize they are valued.

If we only listen to the status quo, we can become discouraged, disempowered, unheard. But those who share discontent over teachers may not realize that teaching is not a 9-5 job. Teaching is not easy. We have amazing teachers in this state and it is time, our time, to speak for those who are supporting our children, all of our children.

The blog postings in and around the world provide insights and sharing of ideas; they are about doing the work of teaching all children, they are about advocating for the under-served, the marginalized, the gifted, and the challenged. If teaching were easy, anyone would do it. Teaching is not easy. It is challenging and our children need the good teachers in this state to be supported.

I stand in support of teaching! Thank you for all you do!