Self-Discovery

The teacher's demonstration at the school board on Tuesday night was somewhat of a success. Being surrounded by a couple hundred of my colleagues gave me four insights about teachers:

1. We can be just as rebellious as our students.

I was standing in the lobby along with around a hundred other teachers because there was no more room in the actual board room. We watched the proceedings on the TV screen. At the very beginning, some important Lady of The Board pounded her gavel and said: "Because we already know that everyone in the room will concur with what will be said, let's keep the clapping to a minimum so as to move this right along". Well what effect do you think that had? We clapped and hooted and hollered after EVERY speaker. Even halfway through, when she gave us a stern reminder, we continued. Apparently we don't follow directions well. Perhaps if she had been offering stickers as an incentive we might have listened.

2. Teachers don't shut up.

Even though we harp on our students to BE QUIET WHEN I AM TALKING, we cannot be expected to follow the same standard. More than once, the gatherers in the back room (where I was standing) were kindly asked by a fellow teacher to stop talking. We paused to listen, but continued at the same volume until the screen actually showed the proceedings. Even then, there was quieter talking throughout the room. The problem is, we hardly get to see our colleagues except at boring meetings or as we pass each other in the halls. We're just so thankful to be with friends who are just as fed up with student [and administration] antics as we are, that we can't help talking!

3. Teachers are self-important.

The logic is, since we have one of the most important jobs on Earth, we should be paid as such, and we should feel valued by our district. Plain and simple.

4. Teachers can't be expected to function after 8 o'clock PM.

Although I'm sure this one is true in most other professions as well, it struck me that the teachers at the board meeting started dropping like flies around 8 o'clock. I saw many tired, haggard faces walk by on the way to the parking lot. Suckers. I at least lasted until 8:15.