You watched the State of the Union speech right? Of course you did… and if you were like me, you were waiting with baited breath for something really inspiring. Or you had assigned your AP Language and Comp. students to watch the speech and identify the rhetorical strategies, so you could all discuss what BS fine elocution it was the following day. Either/Or.
And the President did mention education. Nothing new. Race to the Top was a huge success! (for how many states?4?) And demanded changes that are not feasible or economically sound in many parts of the country… but whatev’s.
Then he said “Become a teacher. Your country needs you.”
Because, apparently, the country does not need the several thousand teachers who are about to be laid off – that would laid off… not fired for ineffective teaching. Laid off, because not only will the state of Washington (not a RTTT winner) cut funding next year, but they cut funding this year – after everyone was hired, books purchased, and projects started. Those teachers are not needed. They are all experienced teachers and will spend all their time asking “why?” and want to “work together as a team,” and all that crap.
Although 10,000 baby boomers will reach retirement age very soon, they will not be able to afford to retire. They will be keeping their jobs at schools where teachers are treated with respect, treated like adults and have a working heater.
So to all those college students wanting to respond to our leader’s call, here’s what he really means:
We have a shortage of people who believe they can save the world, while eating Top Ramen. A shortage of people who want to work 80+ hours a week in almost 3rd world conditions (if it wasn’t for the Starbucks down the street, it would be third world.). People who don’t need things like toilet paper, windows made of glass or sleep. People who know how to cram for a test and are willing to pass that information on to their students. People who don’t care that we’ll be damned if we’re going to spend a dime to ensure any student has received any health care/mental health car or medication. People who are willing to wear a cup.
Or you can go save people in Thailand. At least the weather is nice and there isn’t a Starbucks around the corner from your job reminding you that not only do you not make enough money to afford a coffee drink, but also that you could probably make the same amount of money as a barista and not be expected to provide the cups for customers.
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