I have been relatively quiet in regards to our “Teacher Rally and March for Students” taking place in Raleigh and across our state today here in NC.  The truth is, I have been so focused on helping our students, staff, teachers, and families finish this year strong, that I have not had a lot of time to dedicate to this tremendous cause.  In all honestly, I was also not exactly sure what to do to help others understand how grossly underfunded and disrespected public education here in NC has become over the past 10-20 years from the state/legislative level*.  It’s been a slow fade.  This is the problem.  By the time we realize where we currently stand and how far behind we sit, we’ve faded so far back that it’s hard to even see our rally flag in the distance.

Yet as I went to work this morning and stepped into our amazing school, I was greeted by the 30 or so educators that were working hard today.  I watched them plan for our students and discuss their needs.  I listened to passionate teachers reflect and tried to offer support and encouragement for this year.  I worked with a teacher to plan the most amazing graduation walk for our local HS students to come through our building next week and be recognized for their outstanding achievement. I received texts and pictures from our teachers in Raleigh and tried to encourage them from afar.  I reflected and contemplated and reviewed and prayed about our open teacher position.  I met with four educators to ensure we had the best plan for a student who has recently broken her arm take the EOG.  What other profession spends this much time and care to take care of one situation for one person?!  I talked with our teacher lead/garden committee chair whose husband was delivering dirt in a thunderstorm so our garden would be complete for our students.  I sat with three first grade teachers who were working as hard today for our students as they were 165 days ago.  The sheer commitment was evident in everything.

I’m glad our teachers and staff care so much about our students. I’m glad some went to Raleigh.  I’m glad some came to work.  I’m glad a few supported local movements.  I’m glad a few stayed home with their families and will be ready to come to work tomorrow to finish this year strong.  We all did what we felt we needed to do.  And tomorrow, we will all be back at school ready to continue our journey into the extraordinary.  We will greet our kids with hugs and smiles, affirm them with our words, challenge them with our questions, teach them with our passion, and encourage them to always be their best.  We will bandage their scrapped knee from the playground, open their chocolate milk at lunch, sign their signature cards when we catch them being safe, respectful, or responsible, and give that quick glance to get them refocused on the task at hand.

Our teachers in our 4th grade classrooms with 31-33 students will keep working hard to engage every student and personalize learning for them.  Our teacher assistants will run (literally at times) from one end of the building to another to help facilitate small groups and provide interventions for our students on their “part-time” schedule.  Our custodians will work hard to keep a gigantic building clean with the limited crew we have on hand.  Our front office staff will greet and guide and manage and support.  Our EC teachers will continue juggling their large caseloads and classrooms but pour everything they have into our students.  Kindergarten teachers will assess students on how far they have come in their reading.  First grade teachers will do the same.  Second grade teachers will work on end-of-year math assessments. Third grade teachers will rotate and review to give our students a different voice.  Fifth grade teachers will keep holding it all together and instructing until the end.  Our music teachers will sing with students and make a joyful noise, art will paint something beautiful, PE will engage and tire them, media will challenge them, guidance will remind them to always care.  Administrators will support and work to manage it all so that everyone knows we have their back. We will all do our part.

We won’t gripe about our paychecks.  We will not worry about the budget.  We won’t complain in the teacher’s lounge (which schools really don’t have and I’m not even sure why the term exists).  We will teach our hearts out.  We will finish this year strong.  We will support every child.  We will make a difference.  We won’t get a break.  We never do.  We will go home tired.  We will go home content.  We will continue to pursue the extraordinary.  We will never stop.

I don’t know the exact answer to our problem but I do know that I will be an example.  I do know that our school will be an example for others to follow.  We will do more with less than you can ever imagine.  We will help every child reach their goals and potential. We will show our state legislators and representatives what is possible.  Every kid, every teacher, every administrator, every staff member matters.  Come and see what we do at PSRES every single day.  You may even want to fund us and support us so we can do even more extraordinary things.  A light, even in the distance, can shine bright.  Shine on teachers, shine on educators, shine on kids.  It all matters.

 

*I proudly work for Cabarrus County Schools.  Our school system and county compensate for so many people, resources, and needs that the state will not fund.  This is not an inditement in any way on our local systems (or LEAs – Local Education Associations).  All 4 LEAs that I have worked for during my educational career have had to supplement at a ridiculously high level to fund basic necessities and required needs.  The local systems are not the problem.  The state government is the one that needs to answer for its inadequate budget and low priority of true public schools here in NC.