If You Want To Build A Ship

Did you thank a teacher last week?  What began as a congressional day of recognition in 1953 and then an official national day of observance in 1980, National Teacher Day falls annually on the Tuesday of the first full week in May.  In 1985, the National PTA extended the observance and established Teacher Appreciation Week as the first full week of May.  My wife is a career-two, year-two 1^st grade teacher at one of our local neighborhood elementary schools that has the distinction of being the only choice school in our district.  Like many of our schools, diversity is one of its greatest strengths and she shared a letter with me that the local parent-teacher chapter had penned for her and her colleagues.  As she read the thoughtful tribute, it reminded me of a teacher testimony I had seen on an online clearinghouse where teachers post funny things students say:

On the last day of the year, my first graders gave me beautiful handwritten letters.  As I read them aloud, my emotions got the better of me, and I started to choke up. “I’m sorry,” I said. “I’m having a hard time reading.”  One of my students said, “Just sound it out.”

I suspect all educators who follow my blog site may have a similar reaction after reading the letter below.

I mentioned last time based on my own assertion that teaching is one of those few professions in which everyone probably has a direct relationship with in some capacity, and I was struck by the great way these partner parents weaved the planning logistics for the week into a one of a kind morale booster for some surely tired teachers (we’re in the last month of the school year!).  And the examples of local business leaders being quick to respond with support provided a slice of renewal in its affirmation.  One of our solution providers even provided a creative wallboard by asking their staff to share their stories of a teacher who made a difference in their lives.

So what do you make of this seeming contradiction?  While nearly two thirds of respondents have trust and confidence in public school teachers, a majority of Americans said they would not want their child to become one.  These findings are part of the latest results in the PDK Poll of the Public’s Attitudes Toward the Public Schools, arguably the most trusted source of public opinion about K-12 education dating back to 1969 when the annual survey launched.  Consider this for a moment, when Americans were asked 50 years ago – ‘Would you like to have a child of yours take up teaching in the public schools as a career?’ – 15% selected ‘No’ as their response.  In the latest report, the percent of naysayers had climbed to a record 54%.  It should come as no surprise then that current estimates on teacher shortages tip north of 100,000 with projections to double by 2025.

It’s hard work being a parent to two – I can’t imagine extending that same care and concern to twenty or more every day.  I don’t believe teaching is a thankless profession but the demands and expectations may often go unrecognized.  In what other industry do students at the earliest ages learn to make sailboats out of nothing more than construction paper, pool noodles, and straws while learning about density, displacement, and buoyancy?  I know of at least one 1^st grade shipwright who will teach you the same.  Thank a teacher and not just on the Tuesday of the first full week in May!