Maybe it was because my day had been spent doing everything possible to make sure my students were safe and protected.. Oh yeah, and learning something... Or maybe it was just because I am a teacher... But whatever the reason, that comment irked me to my core. TO. MY. CORE. I wanted so badly to write some really sophisticated response to her comment but I decided to move on. But here I sit with that comment still on my mind like it was directed right to me! But in a way it was! It was directed at ALL teachers. If only these people would spend an hour in a classroom (or even volunteer a day!!!) I guarantee you that comment would never be made again. So, let me just answer your question as to where the teacher was.
1. They were giving one of the thousands of assessments the state makes us do, either whole group or one on one. Don't believe me? Ask a third grade teacher specifically to fill you in...
2. A child was throwing up.
3. A child had a nose bleed.
4. A child had a bathroom accident.
5. A child needed their inhaler or epi pen (yes teachers administer those) or other form of medication.
6. They were on the phone with a child's parent because of the above reasons, or because their child was misbehaving, or because their child needed lunch money, or because their child said their Uncle Rico was picking them up today and you have no idea who Uncle Rico is.
6. All of their time and energy was focused on that one student who didn't take their medicine that day.
7. They turned their back for one second to write something on the board. FYI teachers really don't have eyes in the back of their heads.. Shhhh... Don't tell the students.
8. They were hugging the child that was crying about their pet goldfish that had died, or about their daddy being in jail, or about being hungry because they didn't have dinner the night before.
9. They were talking a student into putting down the gun they had in their hands. Don't believe me? Ask John Masterson, a middle school teacher at a school in New Mexico.
10. They were TEACHING.
Please don't automatically assume that the teacher was doing anything short of their job the next time you see or hear a comment like that. The teacher cannot control every single thing that a child chooses to do and they cannot stop every single action before it happens. Lets hold the child accountable for his or her bad choice. And please, now more so than ever, SUPPORT teachers. Pray for them. Somedays we need hugs too.
