Look away, a post about the schools...

So with the upcoming merger and municipal schools vote and (blah blah blah) coming up, a lot of people have asked me how I feel. You people should know better. If I lose friends over this, well, it's been real.

Let's start with the obvious. Our city's children have so many more problems than the schools can address. So let me tell you why I think we are not doing what we should for these children - you know, the ones that we as teachers have signed up to serve.

1. Because of the rigorous, nationally mandated testing, teachers are having to teach so much material in so little time, they do not have time to focus on the "whole" child. Their jobs are literally on the line if these kids don't "pass the test." So heaven forbid you miss a math lesson to talk to a child one-on-one. And even if you wanted to, where are the other 25 troubled children while you do that?

2. We are not equipped emotionally (i.e. we burn out b/c of harsh conditions) to deal with these kids needs and meet them where they are. Every child has a story - EVERY. CHILD. But what do we do (can we do) with their story? Personally, I am not equipped to help every child in a tough spot.  But in the city schools you have a class of 30 kids, and every one needs you to be their mother, father, pastor, nurse and, oh yeah, teach them to read. And your heart aches for these babies. So we burn out.

So those are my obvious observations about the "failing" school system everyone is so terrified to join up with. And it's fair to be scared, by the way. I think fear is a valid emotion in all of this. But it doesn't mean we don't act.

Here are my reasons for continuing to teach in the public schools (and yes, send my baby girl to public schools next year).

I have a giant soapbox about public schools, because it is so obviously a vicious cycle - one that we have to be brave enough to break. Here's the deal - if all the "good" families pull their children out of the public schools, then all that is left are the children that have zero support, zero interest, and zero hope. 

This means that the schools and teachers feel like they are fighting a losing battle trying to educate these students, and often, they eventually burn out and give up (which I believe is happening in Memphis, to an extent). And as a parent, I get it - no one wants to let their baby be the guinea pig. It's scary. It is. 

But what if these kids were surrounded by other students that cared about school, or at least had a chance? They could see that there is more out there. There is a reason to care about school. And the teachers would have some support. The community is what fixes the schools. The people. No amount of money, given to the school board to buy computers, can fix a broken community. And make no mistake, Memphis is broken. I love it so,  I want so much more for it, but it is broken. And here's the kicker (been nice knowin' yah) - making more school systems only makes it worse.

By splintering off and dividing our assets, be them human or financial, I believe we are dooming these children. We are driving a fresh wedge between races and tax brackets. And I do not believe that is fair, nor is it what I am called for.

I think the decisions made should be based solely on the best interests of children, the ones who are innocent in all of this. Sure, the way that the merger came about was shady (at best). And there are some people involved in this initiative that were/are only looking out for themselves (not naming names). But I think the knee jerk, fear-based reaction to just build wall around your city and run away from helping all the children of Shelby County - all of them - is wrong.

There will be more school systems, and it probably won't ever be unified. I know this, and I wish them well - I really, really do. To be honest, I liked things the way they are. I like the two systems, and I like my job. But it's clear that things will not be the same in two years, and I just know I want to be were I'm called. 

And it isn't behind a wall.