Dear Policymakers and Administrators: Let Teachers TEACH!

Suzanne Kelley
April 20, 2022
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Dear Policymakers and Administrators:

Please let teachers teach! It’s time we face it; things have been changing in education for years. Whether you are on board or not, there is no denying that the boat has been rocked. Within the last two years, teachers, new and old, have been leaving the field in droves. Currently, 55% of teachers have considered leaving the profession earlier than planned, with 43% of posted teacher jobs unfilled as of February 2022. Perhaps you think it is good because you are weeding out all the lazy, ineffective teachers. Maybe you want teachers to shut up and accept a dictated agenda.

But . . .

Have you not seen the highly effective and well-trained educators leave the profession? Have you not noticed that most teachers care about their students’ education? These teachers will ROCK your socks off. Have you not recognized that the leaving teachers represent much of the value and experience in teaching? Or are you blind to what is happening in our schools? You have to open your eyes, ears, and hearts to realize this affects everybody. But most importantly, this crisis affects the children.

Let teachers teach!

First off, teachers need to be treated with respect, and we have to be trusted for things to move forward. We are forced to attend Professional Development to talk about things on a set agenda that has little to no impact on kids. We have real things that are pushed to the side so we can talk about whatever administration puts on the agenda for us. Although data and test scores are integral parts of our job, let us meet about other things!

We need to talk about the safety of our children, discipline, and other logistical things that help run the school. We need to talk about the curriculum that we know works best for kids AND CHOOSE THAT CURRICULUM!! Believe me, when I say, teachers know the priorities in their classrooms, in their hallways, and in their schools. LISTEN to them! SUPPORT them as professionals and experts.

We definitely need to talk about student trauma, student behaviors, student needs, and how the administration and policymakers intend to support classroom teachers. Teachers and students are getting hurt. Classes are getting destroyed, and expensive equipment is getting broken. Our hands are often tied by administrators who blame us and reward the behavior with a treat as they send the students back into the classrooms. Lead us. Provide for us, and support us!

Let teachers teach!

And . . .

Let’s talk about those district quarterly standardized assessments and mandatory state tests. Not only do we waste taxpayer dollars on them, but we have to take away learning to administer those tests. The taxpayers wouldn’t be so thrilled if they knew the overall cost. Every day spent prepping for tests, practicing the tests, and taking the tests is a day away from learning! Let teachers teach!

Then, teachers must look at this assessment data in so many different ways. The test scores determine the students’ labels and their names paper the data wall. Teachers do not need a data wall to tell them which kids are not up to grade level. We know. Let’s not even start on how much value policymakers and administrators put on these test scores. What if your evaluations were determined by how well those people around you performed on assessments? Ready to pair your raises with those assessments? I didn’t think so! Pay us what we are worth, and let us teach!

Unnecessarily…

Teachers are also expected to post four or more objectives for each subject every day. And their lesson plan requirements? Just see the wall! Everything on the wall is likely to be in the lesson plan. And then some! We don’t look at them. Because they aren’t for us, they are for you. And although you have no idea what it is like to be with your students forty hours a week and then go home and write these ridiculous things, they will be posted and ready for you whenever you decide to “drop by.” Posting objectives is not the best use of a teacher’s time. You take time away from our families during our non-contractual time, and you give no actual lesson planning time. Teachers’ time is spread so thin already! Give us our planning times!

And states that are considering lesson plans a year in advance? Shame on you! Our lesson plans flex and change for a reason. We meet our students where they are and teach them what they need. Our only agenda is to educate the students entrusted in our classrooms properly. What is yours?

Let teachers teach!

Please give us the respect we deserve and listen to us when we say, “You are going the wrong way!” We are in the classroom, and you are not. Sure, you do your drive-by’s, but come into my classroom and teach! And I don’t want you to teach for a week, teach for a DAY! That is all it takes to realize that we are masters of our craft, and we desperately need you to trust us as professionals. Please don’t lose your most valuable asset in education: Teachers.

Let teachers teach!

We have been teaching long enough to know the difference between right and wrong. Well, I refuse to be a player in this game. I urge all teachers to think about what is best for kids. Stick up for yourself when you feel something is not correct. They are carefully silencing teachers, and we must speak up before our voices are no longer heard. BE A LEADER!

Change the game.

WRITTEN BY – SUZANNE KELLEY

At Education to the Core, we exist to help our teachers build a stronger classroom as they connect with our community to find trusted, state-of-the-art resources designed by teachers for teachers. And, we aspire to be the world’s leading & most trusted community for educational resources for teachers. Plus, we improve the lives of every teacher and learner with the most comprehensive, reliable, and inclusive educational resources.

If you enjoyed what we have to offer at ETTC, be sure to join our email list so that you won’t miss a beat. Plus, we are here to help with all your resource needs. Become a Premium Member of Education to the Core and receive immediate access to thousands of printable activities. So, for a tiny monthly or annual fee, everything ETTC can be at your fingertips all of the time.

Suzanne Kelley

At Education to the Core, we exist to help our teachers build a stronger classroom as they connect with our community to find trusted, state-of-the-art resources designed by teachers for teachers. We aspire to be the world’s leading & most trusted community for educational resources for teachers. We improve the lives of every teacher and learner with the most comprehensive, reliable, and inclusive educational resources.

If you enjoyed what we have to offer at ETTC, be sure to join our email list, so you won’t miss a beat. We are here to help with all your resource needs. Become a Premium Member of Education to the Core and receive immediate access to thousands of printable activities. For one small monthly or annual fee, everything ETTC can be at your fingertips all of the time.

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