I believe it is the duty of all teachers, but especially a teacher in the public spotlight such as myself, to speak up. I was by a local radio personality after I suggested that play was a vital part of kindergarten children's education. But policymakers, community leaders, and business people need to understand that making our schools better for all children means, first and foremost, placing a qualified, effective, and caring teacher in every classroom. Elevate the profession Trying to scapegoat teachers for disappointing test scores or violence in the schools accomplishes nothing. To the contrary, we need to elevate the profession of teaching by paying teachers professional wages, by providing teachers with professional training, and by treating teachers as experts in their field.
Respect is the key word here.
Show me a school system that truly respects teachers, and I will show you a school system that's doing right by its students. My time as National Teacher of the Year is winding down. I will return to my kindergarten class next school year energized and feeling blessed to have been honored on behalf of all teachers. You bet I will.