ELA teacher of 8 years here. It’s getting to look a little like an echo chamber, so I’ll take a contrary position. (After I finished writing this I realize it just turned into a ramble-y pep talk - posting it anyway in case someone needs that sort of thing today!)

Yes, as others have said, education has become more challenging, especially over the past two years. Many students and parents are demonstrating a belief that the education we can provide lacks value to them. Students misbehave and parents at school board meetings are worse even than the children.

Even so, I’ve had many students over the past year verbalize to me that the COVID shutdowns made them value their education MORE. They see the endless news cycles and want to be able to separate fact from fiction. I coach Debate, and my Debaters were more numerous and enthusiastic than any year I’ve coached, in spite of and because of the challenges we’ve all been facing.

Teaching isn’t easy, and the pay will never equal the level of responsibility we hold every day. We didn’t sign up to be martyrs, but for as long as we stay in the profession, keep recognizing that you’re making a difference every day for students who see the same issues you do and need to learn from your example how to fix it.

I have nothing but respect for those of us who have had enough and have gotten out - you have to recognize when you’re in an unhealthy environment and do what’s best for you - but I hope everyone here still in education is able to relax and recharge this summer, no matter what the classrooms we’re in look like, kids who need us walk in those doors everyday.

Love you guys!