I take it back.
I'm mad.
In last week's post, I bragged about how steady and reasonable I've become when faced with an attack from a parent, but today I need to be more honest about it. No more zen. Not this week.
I'm mad for all the reasons people get mad— it feels unfair and mean and unreasonable—but mostly I'm mad because I don't understand.
I don't understand why a parent would lash out to a teacher—someone who gives, and gives, and gives--spewing unreasonable anger at the very person to whom they send their child for hours and hours each week--the person who is hired to because of educational and instructional expertise.
Here's where I have to back off and acknowledge: Yes, yes, I know—there are a couple of bad guys out there. And, yes, there are lousy teachers. A few who don't give a damn. Given. But why has that made the rest of us have to play defense all the time? Why are all the good souls lumped in that same bad batch? Those of us who get up every day and teach children—math, science, reading, manners, etiquette, communication, god-knows-what-else—why are we like hunted prey, not sure who's the next disgruntled parent to lash out and throw some fastballs?
One of my supervisors was talking about this the other day. Her analogy was perfect: If I took my child to the pediatrician and was told he was sick, would I get mad at the doctor? Would I write emails full of scathing and unreasonable accusations? Would I take to social media and tell everyone I know about the doctor's incompetence? Would I raise my voice? Find all the disrespectful words, scattering them about like moldy old breadcrumbs?
No. I wouldn't.
I'd be grateful for his help and expertise. I'd use words like, "team" and "guidance" and "plan" and "support."
I'm angry that teachers seem so under attack. I'm angry that we always have to take the high road—that we can't even really stick up for ourselves anymore. We have to take it, and take it, and take it. And meanwhile, we have to give, give, give. Because that's what we believe, and that's what we do. We are teachers, so we muster up, silent and strong, everything we are and everything we know—and we give it back to the world.
I don't know what to do about this problem—I really don't. We live in a political environment where anyone and everyone (even our President, for crying out loud) can spout off anytime, on any little thing, with no regard to truth or consequence. It's become funny, to some people. Not to me. It makes me sick. Sick, sick, sick.
I don't see an end to it, either. The toothpaste is out of the tube, and there doesn't seem any way to stop it, much less put it back in.
So, yeah. Today I'm mad.
But, still, in spite of it, or because of it, I am still determined to do my best and stick to my beliefs. We all are.
It's the only tool we have.
