Watch the movie Waiting for "Superman"

     When I was a little girl I was very lucky to go to a very interesting school.  In retrospect I see all that I was taught and in more ways than my text books showed me.  By the third grade I was going home to not only do my homework but to teach my imaginary class.  I had a chalkboard, flash cards and a curriculum that included themes and books.  I was 8.  From that point on I tutored and assisted the teachers whenever asked.  I loved the smell of the buildings, the crisp new books and every single thing about a school.  Then I hit the 4th and 5th grade.  My teachers were not so desirable in more ways than one.  It was at that point my passion for teaching went beyond the love of learning and the desire to pass it along.  It went toward the idea that NO teacher should be allowed in a school building if they weren't there for the love of it.  I suddenly wanted to become a teacher to SAVE students from the teacher they might have had...had I not been there.  It was no surprise that I went to college for teaching. 
     East Stroudsburg University creates educators.  For four years I honed a craft for a passion that burned bright and bold.  I was eager to save the world one child at a time with the hopeless idealism of a young woman empowered by the certificate that accompanied the skills.  I was given two student teaching assignments.  One was amazing.  The teacher was seasoned and organized.  She was caring and dedicated.  Her class was a pleasure.  The second assignment rocked every belief that I had for most of my life.  The teacher was about to retire.  She was tired, bitter and angry.  She was disgruntled and preoccupied.  She also had streaks of racism.  Her room was next to another teacher's room that made her look like teacher of the year.  He was offensive and cruel and found his power in belittling the very children he was to be inspiring.  I left each day in tears.  I worked my lunch breaks to help the children that were neglected.   I was told that I had one week to learn the names of my 130 students in five periods and that I would be teaching them on my own.  Modifications would be needed for each of the groups.  I took failing children and showed them what it felt like to get an A.  I took disheartened students and gave them faith.  Their parents were also given faith.  But I was only there for a short time.  It was enough to break my heart and dull my passion.  I felt powerless.   Teachers with tenure and packages were making these hallways unbearable...and this was back in 1994. 
     I have rants about education all of the time.  I heard statements in this movie that I have been saying for years.  It made me very sad.  It made me very angry.  I think the only thing stopping me from screaming or bawling is that the two are in such conflict neither emotion can win.  It has reminded me of the passion though.  The need to save.  There are many wonderful teachers out there.  Many.  I know quite a few.  But the truth of the matter is...there are a ton of horrible teachers that should not be allowed the privilege to stand in the classroom and call themselves a teacher.  The movie showed a structure that worked.  It showed dedicated men and women that proved it can be done.  Anywhere.  Regardless of race, financial status or location.   Have really fantastic teachers!  Make them accountable at all times.  Give them support.  Give them a reward system.  Any business in this fine country has a system of checks and balances with reviews to determine job status and safety.  Why would we not give the MOST IMPORTANT job that this country has to offer to society absolutely no such system.  There are hungry, idealistic and inspired men and women all over just waiting for the chance to shine...and those classrooms should never be taken up by someone who wants the summers off or easy hours.  Struggling and devoted parents should not have to hope and wish that their child comes home reading at the proper grade level.  Yes, parents do hold responsibility in all of this but the teacher is getting paid to teach.  TEACH!  It should be an honored profession treated with the respect of a doctor.  There would be no lawyer, no surgeon, no computer software millionaire without the teacher. But the respect should be deserved.  The system should start from the top and work its way down to the bottom and all should have a common goal.   I watched this movie in complete disbelief that this rich and incredible nation allows any of this behavior.  It is a basic right.  I could go on for hours about all of the factors that contribute and the changing times that have added to the mess.   What it really boils down to though is that each and every classroom should have a shining star.  Each subject should be made interesting.  Every child should have a fair chance.  We should not have to wait for one superhero to fix it all...there should already be a hero right there at the front of every classroom.
(For those of you wondering why I am not currently in a classroom saving the world...well I took the opportunity to be the best teacher I could to a couple of really important kids - my own.  But saving the world one child at a time is STILL on my to do list!)