Unsung Heroes

Yesterday, I was a reference for yet another colleague/friend that is leaving the state.  In the past 10 years, I have watched quality teachers of all ages either leave the state or leave the profession of education all together.  The reason?  Lack of respect, lack of pay…  It is a sad day when our educators are flocking to other states and/or seeking employment outside of their called profession.

What does this mean for our students?  What does this mean for the future of North Carolina?  Unfortunately, the legislators don’t seem to take this into consideration.  The latest budget is sickening.  Over the past week, I’ve wondered many things but most of all I’ve wondered why anyone would think this budget is acceptable at any level.  I know money is tight and I know public education is a huge portion of NC’s bottom line.  However, shouldn’t it be?!  Shouldn’t we invest in our children, in our future in a big way?

I’ve been puzzled as to how this could be happening but then I realized something.  Those creating this budget, how many of their children/grandchildren actually attend(ed) public schools?  Very few, I’m sure.  Very few.  So I’m speculating that this is the grand scheme…to slowly dismantle the public schools system of North Carolina.  And they’re doing it in such a sly manner.  First, they set the bar so incredibly high, that it will appear that we’re failing even when we’re not.  It will appear that we, as educators, are not doing our jobs, that we, as educators, are failing our children, our future.  But in fact, it is not the educators at all.  In fact, educators are staying even when they’re underpaid and underappreciated.  In fact, educators are spending more and more of their own personal money for supplies, materials, subscriptions, texts, books, etc. so that they can continue to deliver the best education possible even when they are not supported by their state.  In fact, educators continue to spend less and less time with their family in order to master/complete the ridiculous requirements and new mandates continually dumped on them.  Year after year.  Month after month.  Week after week.  Day after day.

Educators continue to be the door mat.  Educators continue to be the scapegoat for all that’s wrong.  When in fact, educators are one of the few reasons we’re not in worse shape than we’re in now.

But now, legislators will be able to say that public schools are failing so we’re not supporting them. We’ll not give them a raise.  We’ll pull all assistants out of the classrooms.  We’ll cram as many kids as possible in a room.  We’ll not give teachers any compensation for completing graduate degrees.  And when asked why, legislators can simply answer with, they failed to perform.  Which in fact, it is quite the opposite.  The only ones failing to perform are those that voted to pass this budget in the first place.  The only ones failing are the ones that aren’t thinking of our children in public schools.  The only ones failing are the ones that aren’t thinking of the future of North Carolina.  And that is unbeliveably sad.

My husband, Daniel Justin Smith, wrote “Unsung” years ago.  However, his lyrics still ring true today.  Educators are real heroes.  Unsung heroes.  And, I for one am beyond ready to hear their song.  I’m ready to see them dance.

Chorus:

These are my tools, this is my trade.

It’s how I make a living, but I don’t do it for the pay.

It’s my life that I’m living, loving everyday.

These are my tools, this is my trade.

When I wake my mind is racing

thought, will not leave me alone

I cannot look into those faces

without giving them my all

I teach the lessons of the ages

fate puts it’s weight on me

I am knowledge and understanding

I will show you the power of your mind