September 24, 2021
I heard a teacher this morning say these words, “You can’t turn it off.” I watched the video over and over. The entire message was based on how leaders of lessons taught are expected to be on 24/7. The part that hit me the hardest in the heart was when she explained how taking home school work kept her away family. She wasn’t in control of raising her children. You can’t turn it off. This is very close to me because of my wife’s connections to education and I lived this teacher lifestyle with her. Saying thank you to class room leaders isn’t enough. Teachers need helping hands physically and mentally. Not parents endlessly pointing fingers while throwing out false accusations. You can’t turn it off. When will the circle get tighter? The community raises the child but it’s only the teacher showing up. You can’t turn it off. You know what’s sad? The stories you aren’t hearing? Teacher’s who’ve located the off button. The numbers are rocking schools. Teachers aren’t the only ones. Employees in every business have located the same off button. I see it every day! People are hired. They take one good look at the expectation then walk away. We’re facing a mountain in education. How close are we to local decision maker’s agreeing to hire anyone willing to come to class and read from a book? You can’t turn it off. When we do the future is handed something much bigger than the mountain before us.