As a Teacher, This is What I Really Want!

Thanks for those of you who have invited me to the various “Adopt a Teacher” pages. I know you meant well, and I love you for that. But, for me and many others, showing teachers appreciation really has nothing to do with chocolate and gift cards.

I don’t want to feel like I am competing in a popularity contest so others will buy me things. As a teacher, this is what I really want for myself and my fellow teachers....

1) To not have to pay for basic supplies for my classroom because schools are funded like they are a priority and not a painful, financial obligation

2) To have my administrators trust that I know what I’m doing most of the time. (Especially since I’ve been doing this longer than most of them ....and mean it, not just say it)

3) To be given grace by parents when I do screw up, because I will

4) To never have to hear that I only work 7 hours a day, 10 months of the year ever again

5) For parents to understand that I don’t have the time, energy, or desire to make stuff up about what their kid did at school.

6) For people, who say they love and respect teachers,
to actually show that they do by voting for candidates that will support public schools and the families struggling within them.

7) For school leaders to not be blinded to the economic and emotional struggles of our children.... just quoting statistics on free and reduced lunch doesn’t mean they are tuned in

8)To have a smaller class size so I really can give the kids the attention they need and deserve.

9) For the health and mental wellbeing of teachers to be as much of a priority as that of our students.

10) To never have to feel guilty or characterized as greedy for asking for compensation commensurate with my level of education, experience, and expertise.

11) To never need to have teacher appreciation weeks or pages because we already know we are appreciated.

- Lauren Sorensen - TNBATs