So today is National Teacher Day. (I know because Google
told me so.) Since this blog includes rants against the terrible
damage done to children and families by an inhuman and inhumane
government-sponsored school system, and such private schools as seek
(or are required) to emulate it, it is meet and right to make space
today to recognize teaching as an honorable profession, and good
teachers as incomparable treasures. The monstrosity that is
school destroys teachers as well as students. In particular,
today I honor:
- All the teachers among our family and friends
- Teachers who struggle year after year in increasingly difficult situations for the sake of making a schoolchild's day less bleak
- Teachers who quit the system for the sake of conscience
- Teachers who brave dismissal and lawsuits, daring to hug their students
- Teachers who still believe that rigorous study and high achievement are important goals for everyone
- Teachers who work with parents and not against them, respecting their values, insights, and goals
- Students who succeed in making their education their own business, in spite of school
- Students who take back the joy of learning and refuse to submit to school's stultifiying regimen
- Parents who embrace their responsibilities as their children's primary teachers, exercising extreme caution when delegating any of the work to others
- Parents who not only love but respect their children
- All babies and very young children, who know that learning is the most fun game of all, and who excel at it, until we crush their spirits
