We will pay an enormous price. Our teachers have an awesome responsibility. Nurturing young people is much like tending a garden. Different children need different things. The blossoming of self-esteem and confidence occur outside of a rigid schedule.
Patience is paramount.
A sense of humor and an appreciation for each child's unique gifts goes a long way toward helping a student unlock his or her potential. Current discussions lean toward scapegoating educators, which itself is enough to sap their energies, patience and good humor. The stress is mounting and when all of this begins to play out, we stand to lose dedicated individuals to the corporate sector. I don't have a crystal ball and I might be way off the mark, but I have long felt that teachers are underpaid and undervalued in this culture. Perhaps it is because the impact of good teaching is not always immediately apparent.