Students, remember these important facts….

A good, and notable retired teacher, friend of mine had posted a TRUTH to students and historical facts when it comes to tomorrow’s Super Bowl game.

Our children will return to school on Monday with their brains filled with facts, statistics, plays and other game facts but will have neglected to do their homework, forgotten to bring their books and pencils to class. They may be unable to name their own state government officials, state capitol or identify their state on a blank map of states but they will spout all kinds of facts and figures about the Super Bowl game. They will not be able to solve basic math problems, know very little about American history, unable to write a grammatically correct sentence, or be able to speak with out the phrase, ”like you know…you know man”; but they will be well versed in all aspects the game America comes to regard as a national festival.

He could not have hit the proverbial nail on the head any harder with a sound whack of a hammer!  How much truth is in this statement!

The sad fact is that I will have to compete against this notion come Monday morning.  Students will come piling into my classroom, spewing different facts about the game while I have to attempt to gear them towards poetry.  Yes, poetry.

How in the world does a teacher compete like this?  I could make it fun, but why must it resort to that?  Seriously?  I mean, yes, I should make poetry fun.  But not in a way to completely offset the hype from the Super Bowl game!

I think it is sad that children across the country have been allowed, by their own parents and lenient teachers, to pick and choose what is important to learn in the classroom.  There are so many parents out there who have allowed media to take over their children’s education.  There are so many teachers out there who simply do not care to teach anymore, and have resorted to worksheets and just show up and assume the teacher position for a paycheck. 

Those same teachers do fill positions in classrooms in my school district.  I have seen it during my observations the last few years.  As I resume teaching in my class, in the back of my head, I am aware that many teachers do not put their total self into their teaching.

But can I blame them?

Our district faces a very harsh and tight school year as it is for the remainder of this year.  However, harder times are looming overhead for the 2009-2010 school year.  I have no clue if I am going to even get a chance to be hired as a certified teacher in my own district because of steep budget cuts!

The worst yet is that our own governor, the person who is supposed to lead our state for better not into worse, has suggested that ALL state employees take a 6% cut in their salaries for the upcoming fiscal year.  For teachers, this means that the measly 4% increase (which does not even cover cost of living increases!) will go out the door along with 2% more of their hard earned money.  So, not only do you give up the raise that was given to you for the contract that was negotiated last year, but also 2% more of their earnings.

These are just a couple of things I contemplate every single day I teach in the classroom.  I thank God everyday that I am able to work as a teacher because it is my dream job, the one job I know I will be happiest with the most.  But I am also grateful at the fact that my salary is the one being depended on to pay all the bills.  I help, but I am not the main income.

It makes me sad that education has come to this sort of fork in the crossroads.  Our children just really do not get what is truly important to live life in the real world.  I get a lot of slack from parents who feel I am being too strict on their kids.  Sorry, but if the world went bust today, and tomorrow your kid had to go out into the real world and help support the family income, many of my kids would be passed up for anything more than a menial, hard labor position because they do not have even the basic skills a 7th grader should already possess before walking into my classroom from the start.

Am I harsh?  Sometimes.  But I feel it is the best for them.  Am I the strictest teacher ever?  No, and I know this because the students have told me.  As of now, my students are grateful I am hard on them.  They know it I have the best intentions for being firm on pushing forward and driving them to succeed.  Do they always respect and realize this?  No.

Just a little food for thought as you turn on the TV for Super Bowl Sunday!