Monthly Archives: June 2012

Not All Guilty

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27

It’s June and for teachers, like myself, it is a month of anticipation. A school year is winding down and soon the summer and its freedom will be upon us. I take stock at this time of year as I am sure many others in the teaching profession do. Did my students learn what I wanted them to? Was I as affective as I could have been?  What can I do to make next year more effective?  It is my goal to continually get better and one of the ways that happens is introspection. I believe this is true of many teachers. In fact, my experience has shown me that the majority of teachers are hard working, responsible, and dedicated professionals who care about their students and want the best for them.

As a New York City school teacher (I work in the East New York section of Brooklyn), I am particularly aware of teachers in the news. Unfortunately, lately it’s been all bad.  There have been multiple reports of relations between teachers and students. Of course this is wrong in every way and if found guilty, the teachers should be punished to the full measure of the law. They have violated the public trust. We are responsible for our students – not only to teach them but to be a role model for them as well.

These incidents and their constant reporting in the newspapers are demoralizing.  Am I the only one who thinks if these are being reported then how many more incidents are going on that we don’t even know about?  I doubt it.  Due to this cloak of suspicion and doubt, it’s as if each of us in the profession must prove that we are not guilty.

I don’t know all the specifics of these cases as I shy away from reading all the gory details. However, I do know that one of the teachers was reassigned after a picture of her kissing a student appeared on the front page of the newspaper. The student is 18 so apparently it is ‘okay,’ and she will retain her job.  Yes, the union is responsible to us, its members, and everyone deserves a trial.  However, when they try to defend the indefensible, it pisses me off.  My teacher hat comes off and my parent hat goes on. What if it were my child that was involved in such a case? Even worse what if the predator teacher got involved with my child after already being involved in another case but instead of losing their job, they were retained due to some technicality? I can’t even imagine how angry I would be.

There are many problems with the education system in America, and changes are overdue.  The problems come from a variety of sources and anyone who has thought about the problem and is honest with him/herself can recognize this issue. One problem that must be dealt with right away is the removal of teachers who act immorally and compromise themselves as professionals and harm children.   While I take this summer as a time to refresh and prepare for a successful school year in 2012-13, I want to focus on preparing myself and not defending myself.

Striving to See the Good

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11

I don’t believe in bad luck. I am a strong believer in fate. I believe everything from the big things – births, jobs, marriages — to the little things – the wind blowing, the amount of the electric bill, hair color — is meant to be. This belief stems from my belief in an all-encompassing G-d who is involved and does things for a reason that is ultimately good.  Despite that, there are times and events that can’t help but leave me wondering why, what is going on, where is the good? 

A week and a half ago a good friend of mine told me that his 11-year-old daughter has a brain tumor.  This girl has an amazing spirit.  She is a positive, sensitive, caring, and spiritual child who has not let any of the challenges she faced slow her down. Now, she and her family are faced with this incredible mountain.
A little boy who resides in my community recently underwent an umbilical cord blood stem cell transplant. His parents have been trying to find a stell cell match for some time. Unfortunately, a direct match was never found. So, now they find themselves trying this risky surgery and facing a long recovery (we can only hope and pray) process.
This afternoon, a friend of mine emailed and told me she is losing her job as of August 31st. The funding was cut and her position is being terminated. She is both scared and worried. With the economy as it is, this is certainly understandable.
Lastly, a friend of mine emailed me to let me know her oldest sister, just 49, passed away last week. She was suffering greatly from cirrhosis. The pain from the disease and other difficulties she was facing in her life became too much for her to bear. She chose her own way out.
The 11 year old has come through the first phase of her recovery well and the doctors are optimistic. The three year old continues to battle, and he has had some good days. My friend who was laid off is giving herself a day to mope and then vows to network like crazy (she is definitely the type).  My other friend and her family take some comfort that their sister/daughter is no longer suffering. 
As for me, I still believe in G-d. In fact, I am using these events and others to  inspire me to pray more. I pray for recovery, comfort, understanding, and for that which only G-d knows my friends and others need.  I pray to see the good and appreciate that in reality everything is just that.