Member-only story
A New (and maybe, soon, Former) K-8 Teacher Reflects
An Introduction, Some Insights?, a Secret Poem, a Call for Help
I’ve been thinking a lot about my younger years, now that I am hitting those mid-40’s and in year three of a new career teaching K-8 kids. What’s difficult to say is, I never thought this would happen to me — I never thought I would be one of those elderly people lamenting “back in my day….” but every day I walk into work, think about work, talk to others in this line of work called “teacher” it can’t be helped. Things are NOT that good right now, guys. On so many levels, things are just so sad, wrong, and upsetting. I have yet to meet one happy, joyful, fulfilled and financially stable teacher. And for sure this includes myself — I am 100 % not getting much joy from this profession.
This is not about really complaining. It is not even about creating this laundry list of “what is wrong” when it comes to schools, teachers, admin, systems, kids, students, families, parents today. If anything, this little essay is about reflecting, wondering, warning, and mourning. And it is not at all comprehensive or coherent. If you would like to comment and ask me to write about different topics and areas of this entire beast, please do. I could use the direction. Because by and large this profession, my time in it, my daily experience has…
