"Dear Governor Cuomo" - Part Two

 "When one teaches, two learn." – Robert Heinlein

Dear Governor Cuomo:

You must know that your entire New York State population of  teachers, students and parents are now biting their proverbial nails wondering what the state of our public educational system will evolve to in September.  I am one of those teachers awaiting my fate.  

I have 15 years of teaching experience under my belt now, and I can honestly tell you that this past year has left most of us exhausted, if not traumatized by the lack control we have had over our profession and our well-being.  But that's not news to you because for the past ten years, we have witnessed a  steady decline in the importance of education.  "Common Core" was supposed to revitalize our public educational system and hold teachers accountable for the very elements that are totally our of their control.  

Now, a pandemic...We were asked to perform educational triage and we did so.  We didn't care about evaluations, test results, or overall school performance.  What we cared about were our students, their emotional and physical health and their families.  We witnessed first hand the growing apathy and the frustration of parents who were now having to spend more time and energy on those issues that have been left to the teachers of their children.  They are busy working, earning a living and just trying to figure out how to survive while at the same time, trying to teach their children what professionals with master's degrees have been trying to do for years. 

It is not a secret that you are not fond of teachers and their unions and before becoming a teacher I worked in the private sector and I understand that unions create a level of job protection that is at times frustrating. However, teachers need protection from the societal tragedies that sadly make the news each and every year. 

During this pandemic, children simply disappeared from view as on-line learning began.  We were virtually powerless to do anything despite phone calls, emails and numerous other interventions.  We knew we needed to go above and beyond the job description and did so willingly.  Pick an emotion or a feeling and we have felt it, much like police officers, EMTs, fire-fighters, nurses and anyone else that is in public service.

  When you are a public servant, as we all are and... as you are, there will never be a perfect solution to each and every issue.  But I can honestly tell you that I have witnessed more resilience, more courage and the deepest and most profound work ethic in my colleagues over this past year. That is what our "calling" is all about and I can tell you with much certainty that your whatever opinions you  hold regarding teachers and public schools,  nothing will ever replace the strength of parental involvement and the love and stability of the classroom.  Public schools cannot fully compensate for what a child is not getting at home but we make sure we try.  Just because a child can get up and get dressed by themselves in the morning does not mean a parent's job is done. And...just because teachers are paid by the public, doesn't mean they are not appreciative of their professional amenities. We earned them.  We earned bachelor's degrees and master's degrees and paid out more money in state tests and certifications even before we even were allowed to walk through a classroom door.  

This is a time to leave politcs and big business out of the educational system. A concerted effort must be made to honor and promote the importance of education not continue to tear it apart and create something it has no place becoming.  If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is that standardized tests, test scores, professional evaluations mean nothing.  Our students mean everything.  Curriculum may be the framework but teaching is about love. Teachers need to hold on to their integrity.  My hope is that this alone will be the trajectory and the core belief that we start from in September.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Claudia King - English Teacher-Grade Eight