I have an imaginary student in my classroom. His name is Bob. He comes into the conversation whenever something is going wrong in the classroom. I'll say something like, "Okay class, we have a problem. Bob is at it again. I know that none of you would ever leave a mess for me to clean up on the back table. But you guys know Bob. He's kind of forgetful. Could you please remind Bob to clean up his mess?"
You get the idea. Well, the weirdest thing has been happening lately. It seems that "Bob" has been going around the country trashing teachers. He's even been coming here to Daily Kos to several blogs and leaving some pretty hurtful comments. He gets into the middle of a conversation between teachers only to say things like teachers don't really have the skill set to do much else besides teaching. He believes teachers are unwilling to have any accountability. He thinks education should be about getting a higher paying job and figures that teachers are not underpaid according to their skill set. He thinks that we don't believe that all children can learn, and is disgusted by our greedy demands for collective bargaining.
I thought this might be a good time to remind Bob gently what I'm sure his mom probably already taught him a long time ago, that if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.
The thing is, I really would listen to Bob. I think he can often be bright and articulate, and even passionate about his beliefs. I'm pretty sure he has some good points. I would listen to him for the same reason I go to Politico every day and read The Arena. I like to hear the other side. I want to know what he's thinking and why. I believe it's an important part of my job to try to understand all types of people. The problem is that Bob's not great at communicating his ideas in a way that I can hear. Any good teacher knows that you can't constantly tell kids only the things they are doing wrong. Otherwise they'll shut down and give up. That's my fear with teachers. If all they hear is that whatever they are doing isn't good enough...constantly...endlessly...again you get the picture.
Besides, Bob gives us nothing of himself. It's hard to really listen to somebody else unless you know where they are coming from. I can't understand Bob's reason for coming here so I just have to make something up in my head. What is his agenda? Is he angry? Is he just a critical person? Did the school system fail him? My experience is that people usually have a reason for why they are doing something, and I can't figure out what the angle is here. Does Bob have kids in a public school and is really frustrated with things? Is Bob really an angry charter school supporter who wants public schools to fail? Is he truly trying to make a difference? Or does he just like ticking people off?
One thing I would like to say to Bob is that I'd match my skill set against his or anybody elses' any day. The skill set of a good teacher is amazing. I could endlessly list my qualifications, but in the interest of modesty, I'll just name a few.
I can listen to two different stories, one in each ear, at the same time and actually care about both of them. I'm pretty sure listening is an important skill to have in any profession.
My organizational skills are beyond belief. I teach 35 kids at least eight different subjects every day and keep them all straight. I have a record keeping system that would boggle the mind of any employer that needs their business organized.
I have the flexibility of a contortionist. Teaching for the past few years has been like expecting a marksman to hit a bull's-eye on a moving target one hundred percent of the time. I've been able to go with the flow of the constantly changing standards for years now. I've had to redesign my curriculum at every whim of whoever is in charge. I'm also an expert at changing gears in the middle of the lesson when I see my kids aren't catching things. I'm pretty sure that flexibility of thinking is a useful skill in this world of constant change.
I can learn anything. And then I can turn around and teach it to anybody. I know how to explain things so clearly that even kids who are trying not to pay attention will catch on. That skill would be great for a management position. I've been told by a banker that ex-teachers make great managers because they are used to managing 30 kids at a time.
I'm a great problem solver. Every day presents a myriad of new challenges. Most teachers will tell you that teaching is a unique combination of problem solving and performing. How can I make this subject come alive? How can I get them to be more responsible? Where can I find extra help for these students? How will I pay for these supplies that would make learning so much better? From friendship problems, math problems, to scheduling problems, to budgeting problems--I can help solve them all.
I can get squirrely ten year olds to love sitting and reading--or writing. Do you even realize what an accomplishment that is? I'm pretty sure those motivational skills could be useful in some other business.
I can convince a group of overstimulated video game addicts that the most dry boring parts of the mandated curriculum are important for them to learn. I think I'd make a pretty good salesman.
I have the patience of Mother Teresa. I can put up with an almost endless barrage of criticism from everyone around me and still keep my sanity and my sense of humor.
I'm thinking this skill would be a good one for me to model in other settings so others could see it in action.
I can do ten things at once. Why just this morning, I was taking attendance while checking homework, getting kids to behave, planning remediation in my head, answering the phone and an email, revamping my schedule to include an unexpected assembly, and mentally checking off where kids were in their reading, while listening for the bell to ring. Okay, so that was only eight, but sometimes it's up to ten. What employer wouldn't want that skill?
I'm creative, fun, smart, happy, interesting, encouraging, some have even said inspiring.
Okay, okay, I'll stop. I did say I could go on endlessly. But again...you get the picture.
So Bob, if you honestly want to get into the conversation about what needs to change in education, maybe try mentioning some of the good things that teachers do. They'll be much more likely to listen to your side of the argument.