The Expendable Teachers of Texas

Nine-thousand education jobs in San Antonio alone could be cut. Is it me or is that a slap in the face to all educators? Is what we do not worthy of respect or protection? How did teachers fall so far from the level of respect they garnered when we or our parents were in school? More importantly how did we lose so much respect from the State- so much so that our jobs become bargaining fodder between political parties?

Three members of my team including myself may lose their jobs in these cuts. Three different people from three different backgrounds, three different ethnicities, and three different educations- and several things in common.

V. is the son of a preacher man who got his start in business. He was a marketing whiz from the University of Texas at Kingsville. A few marketing jobs here and there that went far north and then south, and he found himself at a crossroads. Always a fan of education and based on the great teams who helped out his special needs daughter, he became a teacher and was hired in NISD in 2009 by my principal, our vice-principal and myself. I chose him. He was going to be the other 4th grade math person, since we departmentalize. And he flourished in that position. He worked hard to EDUCATE students who were struggling. He grew and thought and planned and became an amazing math teacher and an even better educator. This year he is even better- meaning that we made the right choice- a person who is so dedicated to the profession and his students that he spends hours in planning meetings and walking himself through every parameter of a lesson, BEFORE he delivers it- to ensure that it is right for the class and students it's for. He is a great person, with a quick wit, sharp tongue, and an endearing personality- and I am proud to call him FRIEND- The State doesn't know him, but calls him- EXPENDABLE.

S. is a transplant from a state I refuse to mention, due to my loyalties to another school. In spite of his university choice, he is phenomenal- both as a human being and as an educator. He works tirelessly to engage, enhance, and enlighten his students everyday. He has an infectious spirit about him that the students pick up on and they would follow him anywhere. He too plans, tests, and implements all sorts of technology in an effort to keep his classes reading, advancing and understanding. He has a sense of humor and a humility that any parent would be proud of. When he came in to interview, we knew that he would be an amazing fit for our team. And we couldn't have been more right. He took on the role of Reading teacher knowing full well that he would be facing. He too is still new to education as a career, but his dedication and heart is evident. He comes in early and stays late, making sure he is prepared for classes, meetings, and deadlines. He is passionate, considerate, and talented. I am proud to call him a friend and a teammate- The State doesn't know his name, but calls him- EXPENDABLE.

G. has always known that he would be a teacher. Since he was a child he had two ideas of what he wanted to be when he grew up- a priest or a teacher. The first choice fell through when he got married, but the second always held true to his heart. He took the long way to get there- the scenic route- and has a profound respect for the path that he chose- for each step turned him into the kind of teacher he is now. He was an electrician and a Marine before he even started college. He earned a BBA in Information Systems and then earned a Master of Arts in Teaching both from a local private university. He started teaching in a low-income district and went in as a TAKS grade-level Reading and Writing teacher in his first and second years. Under relentless pressure and coercion from the administration, he persevered and continued to teach creative, technological, and differentiated lessons. He did well, excellent actually- in fact perfect- though the results are suspicious based on the administration at the time. Undeterred he came to his current school and for the first-time taught a self-contained classroom under the close supervision a superior team leader. In the three years he has been in the district, he has continued to teach creatively, energetically and emotionally and has developed a lasting rapport with students and teachers alike. He loves his job... The State has never heard of him, but calls him EXPENDABLE.

All three of these people have something very important in common. They are all GREAT teachers. They all got into teaching for different reasons, yet they all came to the same understanding and conclusion- this is what they were made to do- maybe not for the rest of their lives, but they were brought together for this time and this place and they are meant to teach- and each one of them actually LOVES doing it.

Think back about that one teacher, who changed your life- that positive influence who never gave up on you. The one who pushed you harder than any other, because he/she saw the potential in you. Now imagine if that teacher had lost their job to a budget cut. Where would you be? How would your life have been changed? Now look into the eyes of your child and ask yourself, "Is that good enough for them?"