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At a recent union meeting I attended (a perk of student teaching with a cooperating teacher with many hats), the conversation between early childhood representatives concluded with observation, "It sounds like you are acting more on defense than as advocates." "That explains it!", I thought. This differentiation between defense and advocacy validates my exhaustion from struggling for simple recognition.
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Follow Journal of a Future Teacher on social media!
Do you ever wonder why teachers leave? The national teacher shortage is becoming more of a crisis by the day, but nothing is changing. Educators on social media constantly produce content revealing the intricacies of a broken system at work. They firmly demand reform and implore, “How many more teachers need to leave for society to take notice?” However, outside of education, not many people seem to care about the number of empty classrooms or students no longer receiving a high-quality education. There is no one reason I can name that summarizes all of the systemic inequities, mistreatment and failures forcing teachers out. Teaching is a job –one that requires dedication, patience, and some sacrifice– but a job nonetheless. As a society and community, we must consider why teachers are leaving. We must wonder why our children are missing out on their education and why their needs are not met. We must question the status quo; we must consider the consequences of our continued inactions, bystanding and blissful ignorance of a nationwide crisis. And we must be loud and demand change. |
AuthorMeghan Hesterman (she/her) is a child advocate and education blogger. While a student at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD), she created Journal of a Future Teacher to share her journey in becoming an early childhood teacher. Categories
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