Reenergized and Inspired
Every back to school, I go through the same rituals — unpacking boxes, decorating bulletin boards, modifying lesson plans from the previous year, meeting with fellow department members, and dealing with new changes imposed by the local or central administration. This year was a little different as I added one more thing to my plate — the commitment to reclaim the promise.
Never in my twelve years of teaching in the District of Columbia have I been involved in activities that seek to protect the rights of our teachers in an effort to better serve the children entrusted under our care. The two days Union Leadership Institute reenergized me and reminded me of the commitment that I made when I become an educator. That commitment was to serve all children without exception and to respect them every single day that they walk into my classroom. I also renewed my efforts in standing up for the respect that all educators in this country deserve to properly carry out the duties entrusted to them. The fate of children appears to be decided by those who have never been in a classroom as educators, and all that matters to them is what teachers are not doing right.
One thing that unions and school administrations agree on is that our children deserve better. The only dividing factor is that the key actors (teachers) are not provided ample opportunities to decide how they should go about the business of educating these children. Two important happenings have reinvigorated me these past weeks: the outgoing 8th graders at my school outscored their 10th grade peers nationally at the end of year foreign language proficiency test and I am proud to have been part of that success. The visit of AFT national president Randi Weingarten and her praises for the work that we do as educators played a key role in boosting my morale and I am more than ever determined to stand up for the children that I teach. It feels good to be appreciated and to have someone who is and will continue to be on your side. My commitment to my students is unwavering and that explains why this year, I am standing up very firmly for all the teachers that I represent and will do everything possible in collaboration with the school administration to ensure that we have the tools necessary to continue to do our jobs effectively. I am also committed to ensuring that all teachers value and are equipped to handle the diversity that exists in our classrooms.
This back to school is one with a difference and I am confident that my students will benefit from this renewed energy and become successful citizens of this great nation.
