Reflection # 19 (Only 1057 to go!) : Playing Politics

Reflection #19: Playing Politics
        (Disclaimer: I am not complaining. It just sounds like I am.)
    This blog about being a teacher and coach...not necessarily me. Well, maybe a little bit.
    Being back in the classroom for 6 weeks each summer, including this year, combined with recent news items about teachers (or as state legislators like to refer to us as Lazy Incompetent Greedy Slugs or LIGS), prompted me to write this reflection. It's probably not fair to generalize about the members of the legislature, although maybe it is. We all know that teachers have had the privilege of determining their own salaries, and health-and-retirement benefits. Oh, no! Wait! That’s the state legislature. I know!! It sounds a little bitter, but how come, when the state’s economy goes in the uh, er um “pooper”, as a result of bad governing, suddenly it’s the teachers who caused it, and, by damn, the teachers are going to pay? Just asking.
    I am officially retired, but I love teaching, and while I hate the 38 mile drive each morning, it's the concession that I make to indulge myself.  In my early days as a teacher at St. Ignatius, “friends” would chide me about “only working 5 hours a day” and “nine months a year”. Of course, they were right. I had an angel on my shoulder to check off homework assignments, grade tests and quizzes for over 120 students each day, and make up lesson plans and tests for the next days classes. Additionally, when Texas Instrument came out with what was originally called the “electronic slide rule”, or new elements were added to the curriculum, all I had to do was take a pill and, mystically, I knew immediately how to use the devices and, what was the best teaching method to incorporate.    (In case it’s not obvious, I’m being sarcastic!)     I’ve noticed that everyone seems to have an opinion on how to be a good teacher.  (The use of the word, “...everyone...” is for dramatic effect, but not entirely.)   I have mused about why it is so common for those not in the teaching profession to presume they have a high level of expertise.   I recall that, before I was married with 4 kids, I was the world’s greatest expert on how to raise kids.  What made things even worse was that I was a “psychology major”!!! (Theme from the movie “Jaws” in the background. Oops! Mind wandered.)   Anyway, by the time JoAnn, our youngest, turned 21, I had learned my lesson. This is no reflection on how my kids turned out; they’re great...thanks to their mother.
    Back to the point, I think that I know why there are so many teaching “experts” who haven’t blessed the industry with their presence.   Two reasons: Most people who opine about teachers at all, have a vested and emotional stake in the quality of education.   They correctly assume that a good education for their children will increase (but I hasten to add, NOT guarantee) the likelihood of a successful life.   (Don’t get me started on what constitutes a “successful life”.)   Additionally, the lack of achievement in the form of poor or mediocre grades, ...or not making “the team”...or getting into NHS...can be looked on as a poor reflection on parents.  (To this latter point, I say, “HOGWASH”!)
    As a coach,...and I did a boat-load of coaching...we had to deal within the boundaries of the philosophy of the school, the facilities available and a-whole-lot-of other intervening variables, while trying to provide the best possible program for our student-athletes.   On an emotional level, a parent’s reaction to a son or daughter who was “cut” from the team or who didn’t make the starting line-up was 10 times greater than for a poor math grade.   I’ve heard fathers say, “I’ve seen my boy hit those 15-footers in the driveway.  No way those other kids are better” or “My daughter can rally with the best of the men at our racket club...even the ones that don‘t need walkers.   Clearly she should be playing first-singles.”   (For those of you not versed in the culture of tennis, “first singles” is a good thing.)   I will only divulge the most egregious examples of parent complaints that I’ve heard over a pint or two of Guinness or a Hurricane at Pat O’Brien’s in Nawlins.
    The second reason is that everyone has seen teachers teach.   We were all students for 12, 16 or more years, and we’ve seen teachers and coaches that we liked or didn’t like, good or bad.   Few people have an opinion about whether a heart surgeon or CPA is good at his or her job.   Who knows if someone is a good heart-surgeon, CPA except those in the profession.   I suspect if you died during surgery, or went to jail for tax-evasion, you’d probably form an opinion.
    Well, for the moment, to quote Forrest Gump, “That’s all I've got to say about that.”   I imagine that, for those of you who are convinced that teachers are “LIGS“, at best, you won’t agree with my reflection.   At worst, you’ll be angry, and try to dissolve the union I’m in.   Save your time; no union.
     Have a good day!