Today, a student told me she might go into teaching. I almost told her not to. In front of my student teacher. Why? I eat and spend my free time at work alone or with my students. The few people in the building who do talk to me anymore are too busy to socialize as well. The prevailing methods involve backstabbing, racing to the top, caring only about "winning", and knocking each other down. Our first concern should be our students, not getting revenge on those who do not fit in or play the game. Then I see the above online and I get nostalgic.




When you teach with these kinds of people, the profession is amazing. It is so energizing. I used to enjoy going to the AENJ conference because of how great it was spending a day surrounded by this type of teacher. But we cannot go to our conferences anymore - unless we pay for it. So I started thinking, is it the profession or the workplace?




Working with my student teacher has been invigorating and affirming. She went to school for art and her opinion regarding lots of issues is affirming. I no longer feel like I am being so negative or too critical. I have been thinking about my sister's old district. That was an amazing art department. The women and one man were working artists. They respected each other (except for one problematic woman who left). They were driven to have their students make art, not crafty stuff. The students drove the teachers to work hard as well. None of the teachers had an M.A, in administration. Do you know what that means? They were of the old stock. They saw the profession as lifelong. They were forever devoted to the student. I know that some teachers do have to move on to be administrators, but when I look around (and not just my building), I see far too many teachers who are just looking to move up the career ladder to be the boss. That is not what makes a good administrator.




In addition (and based on current school climate), I don't believe a school is the place for people who spend any time devising ways of getting revenge on co-workers, smearing people, judging others on how well they do or do not fit in. Our first concern is making this a positive environment in which the student can grow and learn. When your main concern is fighting your co-workers, gossiping, or brown nosing, the students pick up on this. They learn from you. You don't just inspire your co-workers, you inspire your students. I wish I had more of that around me. Luckily, for my student teacher and my students who enter the teaching profession, they will find jobs in places that will inspire them.