


Terry Cullen
Nov 18, 2022
Global
Categories:
Education, Teachers, Schools, Children, Parents, Community
Being an educator teaching children is not an easy job. Teachers are often underpaid, expected to work long hours, and take on heavy workloads. They deal with unruly children and parents, are often underappreciated, and have few opportunities to advance in their careers. Additionally, the American Psychological Association states that school violence is a global epidemic that affects educators and school personnel.
So, why would anyone want to be a school teacher? Many teachers cite intrinsic values that motivate them to work in a profession that would leave many of us feeling unappreciated and undervalued. Most teachers (80%) say they enjoy working with children and making a difference in their children's lives (75%). These internal drivers motivate teachers to persist through difficult times.
It is a month after World Teachers' Day. Still, there is always time to support and appreciate your local hometown teachers. For those celebrating holidays and festivals this month and next, consider wrapping a teachers' appreciation element to your festivities. The Good Trade lists five ways to support our educators and we have added a few ideas of our own:
1) Say thank-you. There are so many creative ways to thank teachers for their hard work. If you are unsure, talk to the school's lead administrator first. Get a group of parents together and amplify your gift, such as hosting a luncheon for the teachers.
2) Donate money to a school to help teachers fund the supplies they need to teach. So many schools are underfunded and lack the necessary resources for the teachers to do their job. Teachers often reach into their pockets to buy supplies the school district cannot or will not. Why not help teachers out? Talk with the school about setting up a donation program where teachers identify supplies needed each month. Parents and other school supporters can help by buying and donating them when they shop.
3) Volunteer some time at your local school. Donating your time to a school is a rewarding way to help. Talk with your local school administrator. There may be opportunities to help, for example, on the playground or a crossing guard for a safe pathway to school. Other examples might include a hall monitor, a cafeteria worker, an after-school mentor, or a grant writer.
4) Lobby elected officials to support educators with more funding. Schools are a considerable expense for a local community to fund. Bring along other parents and show your support to find more funding. Did you know that many non-profit organizations have grants and awards that could help? Still, the capacity of school personnel to pursue them is limited. You can augment your school's limited capacity. Offer your time and expertise to explore, discover and submit applications for grants and awards.
5) Support teachers outside of school. Unfortunately, many teachers cannot live on the money they make from teaching and must take on additional employment. Also, many teachers cannot afford the local community's housing market on their salaries. Teachers may commute in from long distances to work. These conditions make it difficult for teachers to continue teaching in their hometown, and they may decide to leave and try somewhere else. Improving the economic conditions of teachers is a tough challenge. Making it more affordable to live in the community where they teach is essential. Some schools and communities house their teachers at little or no cost. And if the community cannot raise the money to pay teachers more, then finding how to extract residual value from their existing work to create additional income may be an option. For example, a school with a culinary arts program may prepare and sell meals to the community, with the proceeds supplementing teachers' salaries.
A Chinese proverb says, "If you are planning for a year, sow rice; if you are planning for a decade, plant trees; if you are planning for a lifetime, educate people."
What can you do to help your community today?
Photo by CDC/Unsplash.com
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Catalog #:
1122.100.04.111822