The process of obtaining and maintaining a teaching license is extensive. Teachers are graduates of accredited teacher preparation programs and complete a period of student teaching including development of a portfolio that is submitted to the state. After completing these requirements, pre-service teachers must pass content exams to verify their knowledge and understanding. Upon passing these exams, a pre-service teacher must apply for initial licensure. During their initial licensure period and once hired by a district, a new teacher is assigned a mentor and completes a mentoring program for a period of one to two years prior to being eligible to apply for a professional license. To maintain a teaching license a teacher must complete a certain number of professional development points depending on educational level. Professional development is an ongoing requirement for the lifetime of a teacher’s career. Those are the mechanics of what is required to become a teacher. The most important piece, the human element, is the reason why a person becomes a teacher.
Teachers provide a priceless connection with their students. The value of this connection cannot be described, it can only be experienced firsthand. You can see it happening in a high school when a teacher notices a student in the back row becoming overwhelmed with emotion, on the verge of tears. The teacher gets the class settled and discreetly tends to the student in order to problem solve, ground their thinking, and help alleviate the stress that has pushed her to her limits. The goal is not just about calming a student in the moment. It’s about helping the student reframe her thinking and providing a healthy mental strategy to take with her to use when the stress comes again, because it will.
You can see the value of connection in middle school when a teacher realizes a student is struggling academically because he will not ask questions. The teacher sits with that student, intentionally creating a more private, personalized space and goes through some problems together. The student is left feeling encouraged as he experiences his frustration develop into understanding. The teacher knows the student is more likely to ask a question in the future because of the positive, affirming experience.
The connection is evident in elementary school when a teacher notices that a student's shoes are too small. They are ripped and part of a dirty sock is seen sticking out. The teacher is hyper aware of three things: the outdoor temperatures will only be getting colder, that student is going to be walking to school, and the family is having trouble just putting food on the table consistently. The teacher buys a pair of shoes because the student is one of his own. Going above and beyond is not in the job description, but it is a normalcy found within the field of education.
Teachers pour their heart and soul into their work. Hearing words like “indoctrination” and “grooming” devalue everything they do. Teachers care deeply about what they do and those they serve. Enough so, that they would place themselves at risk to protect your child should an intruder enter the building. When caring professionals, colleagues that are held in high regard in their learning communities, start to leave their posts there is a HUGE problem. Disrespect, questioning one’s professional abilities and motives (especially by those who have never studied or worked in the field of education), fostering a lack of trust in the community, and failing to listen to and partner with the people who are charged with developing and delivering education is leading to these departures. When SOLID teachers are leaving in an environment where there is a true teacher shortage, what is the expected outcome?
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