Reaching the Summit

I just wrapped up week 7? 8? I lost track after all the snow days. All I know is that I have to do student teaching for 6 days longer than originally scheduled. Since my last post quite a bit has gone down. I encountered a tempermental student, had my mid-term eval, and have begun feeling like a real teacher. Starting out was a big adjustment and the days felt longer and more stressful than what they are now. I have grown as a person in a very short time. If you do not make adjustments quickly in this profession, you will not last long. The most difficult part about teaching is not the teaching part, it is controlling and engaging 30+ students. I feel sad for those who have a clouded understanding of the public education system. It is not the demon institution that many politicians make it out to be. Right here in Indiana, one more pass in the Senate and Charter schools will begin to get even more funding. Which most likely means less for true to form public schools. Is the system flawed? Absolutely. But what systems in the United States are flawless?
People need to realize that education starts in the home with parents and guardians. If students and children are instilled with attitudes that are negative towards education, it is likely they will hold them with them for a long time. Many teachers do their hardest to reach those students with little response. And yet it is their fault if they fail. How are we supposed to make sure kids do their homework at night? Or take thier book home to study? Or pass them when they never turn any work? We can't. It is almost impossible. In the classroom, yes we have some control and the responsibility over the children, but for 50 minutes! Now, I feel like in the short time I have been in the classroom I have been able to make a difference with many of the students. Yet, there are some students who want nothing to do with school, want nothing to do with me, and wanting nothing to do with authority. Did I instill that in them? Nope. But I know who did. Teachers are quickly becomming Public Enemy #1 and I think that is unfair. I'm not saying that every teacher is a good one, but a good number do it because they love kids and want to make a difference. I have been getting good feedback and really feel like most days I have a good status with the kids. It is not always easy or glamorous, but jobs that aren't, usually make the biggest differences. No matter what happens, I will always be trying to better education at some level. I ask you to believe in the system, to believe that it can be changed, and understand that every child's future is a responsility that is shared.