Dallas

On July 7, 2016, a shooter ambushed and fired upon a group of police officers in Dallas, Texas.  Five of those officers were killed.  Nine others were injured.  The shooter was angry over police shootings of black men and was intent on killing white police officers.  Sad.  Ironically, the shootings came at the conclusion of a PEACEFUL organized protest against police killings of two black men.  Sad.  Emotions were running high on both sides of the issue.  For me, I have a brother who has been a police officer for 36 years and a nephew who is in his second year as a police officer. Police shootings hit home pretty quick.  Take the politics out of this tragedy and guess what – it is still a tragedy.  ALL lives matter.  Many civilians and officers were interviewed after the shootings.  One officer, a spokesmen for the Dallas police force, said something that stuck with me.  He was imploring the public to show support in tangible ways.  Here’s what he said – “We don’t feel your support most days.  Let’s not make today most days.”  Amen.

There is a teacher shortage in the United States.  Why is this?  There are many reasons why young people do not choose to make teaching their profession.  Some of these reasons are personal; other reasons are quite public.  Teachers today have to be masters of their content, a computer whiz, a counselor, an advocate, a proxy-parent, a coach, an entertainer, a facilitator, an data interpreter, an assessment writer, a course developer, a psychologist, first-aid responder, parent communicator, promise keeper, have something called “withitness” and a thousand other things.  People know teachers because essentially everyone was a student at some time in their life and had at least one teacher.  Teachers need to be honored.  Teachers need to be respected.  Teachers need to be listened to.  Teachers have a chance every day to change lives – to make a difference.  Teachers should not have to echo what the police officer in Dallas said – “We don’t feel your support most days.  Let’s not make today most days”.  Thanks for what you do.  You have my support. I have said it before a thousand times, but here it is again – the most important resource we have in education are the human resources.   Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!