Let’s Just Ask Teachers to Work for Free

March 2020 was going great. We were in a routine and getting ready for spring break. And then, Covid hit. Suddenly, I not only had a full-time job to manage but now I had my four kids that needed schooling at home as well. I was so impressed with the teachers at my kids’ school though. They literally had to change the way they taught overnight. Then, they had to spend their much-deserved spring break figuring out new online systems and creating new lesson plans so that kids could be schooled from home. My kids attend Rocky Mountain Classical Academy in Colorado Springs and I will continue to sing their praises. The quarantine opened my eyes to how amazing their teachers really are, and I thought I already knew that! During the quarantine especially they were creative, flexible, encouraging, out-of-the-box thinkers, and innovative.

I think as parents we forget how much teachers really do, and this is coming from a parent who is also a teacher!!! They not only teach our children academics, but teachers differentiate learning, modify assignments, know student’s accommodations, plan fun activities, provide classroom management, document everything on several different platforms, make phone calls, answer emails, complete hall duty and carpool lines, and through it all, I seldom hear a complaint. They help the shy kid find a friend. They help the struggling reader find confidence as they work to fill in the learning gaps. They give hugs to the wounded hearted and a voice of reason to the confused. To many students, their teacher is their only true parental role model. The only encourager they have is their teacher. I could go on and on!

If our time in quarantine taught us anything, I sure hope it was that our teachers are valuable. Teachers are needed for the success of the economy and the success of our future generations. However, actions speak louder than words. In my opinion, our actions aren’t showing that we value teachers.

Over the last few weeks, I have seen several news articles stating that education funding for Colorado will be decreased in the coming school year. Then, I started to have teacher friends in different districts across the state begin telling me about budget cuts and staff cuts. The most recent news stated that the education budget would be cut by 15% statewide (https://co.chalkbeat.org/2020/5/21/21267127/colorado-coronavirus-school-budget-cuts). And, to be honest, Colorado wasn’t doing too great to begin with when it came to teacher pay. In the 2016-2017 school year, Colorado ranked in the bottom 5 states with the lowest teacher pay (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-9-states-where-teachers-have-it-worst/). Although attempts were made to increase this number in the following two years, clearly the recent news will not be helping the efforts.

So, as we begin summer break and recover from a crazy school year, I hope to give you some things to think about once the new school year begins in August.

• Speak up. Begin contacting state officials concerning the budget cuts and teacher pay.
• Don’t complain about the school supply list. I have four kids to buy for every August so I know it can get pricey. But, plan for it and purchase the items. Buy extra if you can for families that can’t afford to fulfill the entire list.
• Give to your teacher. It is common knowledge that many items that teachers use in their classrooms are funded out of the teacher’s pocket. Give them Walmart or Amazon gift cards to help them buy items for their classrooms as their purpose in buying the materials is to enhance our kids’ learning!
• Volunteer. I really appreciate the administration at my kids’ school as they are working to make other cuts to the budget so staff pay does not need to be reduced. However, this means that I need to volunteer my time. How can I help my child’s teacher? I can make copies, I can help with grading, I can sort through papers – I need to think of ways that I can help make the load of a teacher lighter.
• Surprise them. I like to ask my kids’ teachers at the beginning of the year what their favorite stores, restaurants, coffee shops, and snacks are so that throughout the year I can give them surprises that show how much I appreciate them.
• Thank them. While our actions speak louder than our words and we need to make sure we are giving and volunteering, words of thankfulness and appreciation go a long way as well.
• Show grace. As a teacher, one of my top priorities is the success of each of my students. However, sometimes I miss the mark. Assume the best intentions and give the teacher grace. Always be willing to express your questions or concerns to the teacher and work towards a solution together.
• Vote. Make sure you are voting for people who value education. Vote for bills/amendments that help education. Also, if you live in a state where the budget isn’t balanced, make sure to vote for governors who can balance the budget. Colorado hasn’t had a balanced budget since 1999. When there isn’t a balanced budget, education usually isn’t a high priority.

As we have been reminded during the quarantine, teachers are incredibly valuable and important. Let’s work on making sure their hard work is honored rather than asking them to do more while paying them less. Otherwise, it’s like we are asking them to teach the future generations for free.