Practical and Proven Professional Development
C O N N E C T   W I T H   U S :
  • Home
  • Professional Development
    • Workshops & Webinars
    • Brad's Bio
    • Upcoming Events
  • Store
  • Contact Brad
  • Resources
    • Handouts for Purchase
    • Math Videos
    • Science Videos
    • Student Gallery
    • velveteenteacher
  • Brad's Other Books

A Celebration of Educators

8/11/2013

0 Comments

 
As we begin another school year, we again face the obstacles of under-funded classroom budgets, overwhelming challenges and limited time, I am reminded of what a noble endeavor we have undertaken. 
I realize that many people outside of education view our job as part-time work.  They believe we go to work at 8:00 and finish at 3:00 because that is the schedule of their children.  They assume we relax all summer.  We in education know of course that this is not true, and we should begin our year by reminding ourselves of how hard we work and how important is our task.

How many other professions require you to report to work 30 to 60 minutes early?  And when we arrive at that hour, we find students waiting for us, so we open our doors.

How many other workers stay one to two hours after closing time for no extra pay?  Yet we do that to plan for the next day even though those additional hours add nothing to our paychecks.  And even then we come in on weekends when our business is closed.

How many workers see that their business is under-funded and reach into their own pockets to try to make up that difference?  If we lack the basic necessities of running our classroom, we don’t go without; we go out and buy them with our own money.

And how many workers lay awake at night wondering and worrying about their customers?  We teachers often are as concerned for our school children as we are for our own.

And lastly, how many workers when faced with mortal danger would sacrifice their lives to keep their customers safe?  In addition to educating our students, we feed them, bandage them, listen to their struggles, comfort them emotionally, and if necessary, give our own life in exchange for theirs.  I’m not complaining; I’m honored to serve with my fellow educators who have accepted this challenge.

In 2005 I was selected as California’s middle school educator of the year.  I struggled with the award because I knew so many fellow educators who in my opinion were much more deserving.  The director of the award committee suggested, “It’s not that we pick the best.  We select someone who represents what is great about educators.”

When I heard that, I was honored to be seen as a representative of such a noble trade.  Eight years later, I still feel that way.  Every day I consider myself privileged to stand among such a great and selfless group of colleagues.  As you begin this upcoming year, I want you to know I value the sacrifice and commitment you have made as an educator.  Whether you are thanked or not, whether you are adequately paid or not, what you do is a great contribution to our society.  The world is a better place because of our profession.

Happy teaching,

Brad

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Brad Fulton is an award winning teacher and nationally recognized provider of professional development with over three decades of experience in education.

    Categories

    All
    Curriculum
    Pedagogy
    Resources
    School Climate
    STEM
    Videos

    Archives

    December 2017
    July 2017
    April 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    June 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    February 2012
    December 2009

    RSS Feed

TTT Press

Home
Blog
Professional Development
Store
Resources
Other Books by Brad
Contact Brad

What our customers are saying:

Thank you for a well-organized, meaningful, and engaging presentation that gets to the heart of the matter: connecting context and concepts in instruction.  Terrific!
Linda Buck – Principal
I love when I can go back to the classroom and use what I just learned.  Thank you very much for your expertise and enthusiasm.
Kim Clay – middle school teacher
© 2013 by Brad Fulton and TTT Press