New Boat Please, and Rock It

Image via Wikipedia

I had an interesting conversation with a fellow parent of young children last night, and when I said I was a teacher the conversation quickly turned to "What can we do? Our school just lost an art teacher and 12 classroom teachers." It got me thinking.

Teachers are typically in the profession because they are compassionate, caring people who are clearly not out for a 6 digit income. They work tirelessly to help each and every student reach their core potential. Teachers are generally peaceful bunch who are uncomfortable rocking the boat. I see how hard each and everyone of them gives selflessly, and put in so many hours for their children.

I have been out of the classroom for 7 or 8 years (working as an educational consultant for the DOE, the Florida Center for Reading Research and UCF) and am back as a long term sub for the remainder of this year. Because of budget cuts there is no money for a technology teacher for next year. Globally we are shifting to a technologically collaborative world, and we are cutting back on technology for children? I think we need to think about it. I know we are not eliminating it--it is still there, but there will be no digital leader in my school. That makes me sad, because I see how connected these children are, and how much they want more opportunities to stay "connected."

It is time to rock the boat. Not the old boat. The new boat. The one with updated GPS that will help us make, not find, the money to support our children, our future. Contact your legislators.