"I Salute Those Who Stay!" Appreciating Tenacious Teachers!

This is not to take away anything from those who quit.

You have quit for only reasons you know, or have shared with thousands of viewers on Youtube, in articles, or on talk shows.

I attended the 74th annual Eastern Regional Conference of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. this weekend. The keynote speaker told  a story about a young man who was a fantastic, motivated, teacher.
One day the young man approached him and said, "I can't take it anymore. I just can't take it anymore. And he quit.

He said that between the disinterested students, the nonsupportive parents, testing, administration, he was done. Another good one was lost.

The speaker was upset that he quit, but he could also understand his decision.

Then he shouted, "We talk a lot about those who quit, but today, I want to salute those of you who stay!'

Thunderous applause!!!!!!

We stay. We stay, even though we are bowing under a lot of the same pressures this teacher faced. We stay. We refuse to give up, even though some days are harder than others.

We worry, who will be left to teach our children? If we leave, will our children be left with teachers who see teaching as a job, a paycheck? Will they be stuck with teachers who don't share our passion?

One thought that was repeated this weekend is that teaching is a ministry. You have chosen to do this, or it has chosen you. Regardless, most of us want to do it well. Most of us are in it for the kids.

The speaker talked about how he is torn when young people come to him and want to join the profession that could quite possibly suck the life out of you.. It reminded me of Pernille Ripp's article about her daughter who wants to teach.  His first thought is to tell them to run, but on the other hand, he knows what kind of teachers we need in the schools.

I salute all who not only stay, but stay and do their job well amidst all the chaos called teaching. Those of you who continue to challenge, encourage, engage, inspire, support, love,  praise, push, prod, and most of all, teach our children. Those of you who realize that if we all quit, who would be left to teach our children?

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! I salute those of you who stay!!!!