Dear Politicians,

You don't know me, but I am but one in the great army of teachers that wake up each morning ready to take on the challenges that face our public schools today. You don't see me, but I arrive at school early to make sure I have everything in place so that not a minute of precious learning time is wasted with these dear little ones. However, my morning of planning is often interrupted by an ever-swinging door. The door swings open several times every few minutes to former students stopping by to share their latest successes, to show me their new kicks, or to just grab a hug before the day begins. Every once in awhile the door swings opens to a parent wanting to discuss his/her child's progress or a concern that needs my attention. The door also swings open to my colleagues, just checking in to remind me of a deadline or to ask a question about our new curriculum or assessments.  And....then my teaching day officially begins. As I prop open that ever swinging door, the real challenge begins. In flood students from all walks of life.  Students that have had a full breakfast. Students who haven't had but a few hours of sleep the night before. Students who don't have a care in the world. And students who are carrying the weight of the world in worries on their shoulders.  But they all get the same greeting and the great big hopeful smile from me, their teacher. "Good morning!! Please hang up your coats and check your backpacks. Make sure to exchange your book for a new take home book. It's going to be a great day!" You see, I am challenged by all these sweet little people that walk through my door. 

These kids are the challenge in front of me every single day.  As a public school teacher, I look out and take in the sea of differences, backgrounds, and experiences and I am challenged. I am challenged as their teacher to identify their strengths, their interests, their prior knowledge, their home lives, their weekly progress in each academic area, their social and emotional needs, their physical needs, just to name a few. And then I spend the next 9 months doing my best to meet those needs, documenting their progress to all learning targets, stretching their minds to try new things and activate their thirst for learning, making sure they have warm clothes for winter, making time to teach kindness and respect and honesty.  AND in all that....the challenge for me is to NOT lose sight of the fact that they are children. They are five and six years old. They are little people in the making, not test scores and puppets that we can control. They aren't just data on a wall or red/green scores.  You see, not for one second have I ever doubted that each and every one of these kids deserve a chance at success, love and a bright future. But the challenge, my friend...is that the world questions the very truth that I believe with all my heart.  

So you may not know me, but I am working here in the trenches of this place called a public school. I'm not alone in my passion for these kids, as I work alongside some of the biggest, most dedicated child advocates I know. I am not unique. I am not a super teacher and far from perfect. But I am a teacher that believes in my kids and a teacher that shows up each day willing to take on the challenge.  Because the very challenge that presents itself in our public schools today, to me, is the very obvious blessing that will come back to all of us...especially to those who truly believe in seeing these kids through. The blessing may come as an ever swinging door, because it's very likely those little people will become teenagers and maybe even parents themselves. Some doctors, politicians, and even some teachers.  And when that door is propped open for their days to officially begin, what challenges are they willing to take on for those around them?

So roll up your sleeves. This isn't going to be an easy job. Challenges await you here in public schools. But its my prayer that you will see that it will be worth it. Each one of those little faces....is worth taking on the challenge. 

Sincerely, 

Just a teacher.