[AAACE-NLA] And We Adult Educators Think We've Got It Bad

[leslie89]

This was forwarded to me today, but I don't know who to credit as the author
...

TEACHER'S CONTRACT

After being interviewed by the school administration, the eager teaching
prospect said: "Let me see if I've got this right.

You want me to go into that room with all those kids and fill their every
waking moment with a love for learning.

And I'm supposed to instill a sense of pride in their ethnicity, modify
their disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse and even censor
their " T " shirt messages and dress habits.

You want me to wage a war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases, check
their backpacks for weapons of mass destruction, and raise their self
esteem.

You want me to teach them patriotism, good citizenship, sportsmanship, and
fair play, how and where to register to vote, how to balance a checkbook,
and how to apply for a job.

I am to check their heads for lice, maintain a safe environment, recognize
signs of antisocial behavior, offer advice, write letters of recommendation
for student employment and scholarships, encourage respect for the cultural
diversity of others, and, oh yeah, always make sure that I give the girls in
my class 50 percent of my attention.

My contract requires me to work on my own time after school and evenings
grading papers. Also, I must spend my summer vacation at my own expense,
working toward advance certification and a Master's degree.

And on my own time you want me to attend committee and faculty meetings, PTA
meetings, and participate in staff development training.

I am to be a paragon of virtue, larger than life, such that my very presence
will awe my students into being obedient and respectful of authority.

And I am to pledge allegiance to family values and this current
administration.

You want me to incorporate technology into the learning experience, monitor
web sites, and relate personally with each student. That includes deciding
who might be potentially dangerous and/or liable to commit a crime in
school.

I am to make sure all students pass the state mandatory exams, even those
who don't come to school regularly or complete any of their assignments.
Plus, I am to make sure that all of the students with handicaps get an equal
education regardless of the extent of their mental or physical handicap.

And I am to communicate regularly with the parents by letter, telephone,
newsletter, and report card.

All of this I am to do with just a piece of chalk, a computer, a few books,
a bulletin board, and a big smile AND on a starting salary that qualifies my
family for food stamps!

#  #  #

We're not alone.

leslie89

"... unless people are educated and enlightened
it is idle to expect the continuance of civil liberty
or the capacity for self-government."
Texas Declaration of Independence, March 2, 1836