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Hey, Teacher: You’re Fired!
“I would surely be fired if I taught the material I was so committed to teach”…aka: the truth
UPDATE TO STORY: Many readers are confused by the title’s premise that I would indeed be fired. Truth be told, I never for a moment thought my colleagues were correct — cynical, but wrong. Over 700 views and 450+ reads later, I have had some of the most gratifying and inspiring letters from the readers of Medium, for which I am thankful.
At a wedding for my teaching partner of 15 years, I found myself gravitating to the guest table with her colleagues in the Social Science department. It should be noted that COVID-19 pushed all to retirement. Eleven years ago, I retired after three decades served in a profession of which I still remain passionate.
I had the honor of being the San Diego County’s ‘Teacher of the Year’ in 1998. With that award, I encouraged a new generation to step up and make a difference in America’s classrooms. I became a professor of education at several universities and worked with the Teach for America candidates.
What I really did was guide the hearts and souls of teenagers through their tumultuous days in a public high school.
