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Ode to the unsung heroes...classroom teachers.
By RUKIDDINGME in Can it really have been Thirty Years?
August 13, 2009

Today at lunch I spotted quite a few teachers who were "back on the clock." How did I know that they were teachers, you might wonder. Well, it is quite easy if you know what to look for. This time of the year they usually arrive at an eatery in a small to medium size group, talking excitedly among themselves while they catch up with their peers, sharing recent family photos,and sometimes they bring work materials with them to start planning lessons for their yearly goals. The energy level is high while they eat and get reunited with their "work friends". These friends are an essential support for the next ten months.

Meetings have been scheduled for the next several days and after the meetings they are "allowed" to prepare their classrooms and lessons for the coming semester. Many of the teachers have already gone to their campuses to set up the room, arranged the lessons for the first week, prepared handouts for parents, and met with their department to plan the educational track for their students.

All throughout the summer you could spot some teachers who met and planned for this year, if you watched closely while you ate out. These teachers would take a quick lunch break and then get back to their planning sessions, so that their students would receive the very best education that VISD has to offer. When teachers work on their own time, they are not paid nor do they receive "comp" time to take off during the year. The teachers who work extra do it for the same reason that they bring supplies for their students, stay after school for tutoring and make parent phone calls to co-ordinate the education of their pupils. Teachers who do all of that and so much more are what is right about VISD.

We have caring and dedicated teachers who toil endlessly for their students and in spite of the rating from TEA, we need to recognize the amount of dedication of the people who are in the "trenches" every day. Thank you, teachers for your heart and soul that you use every day for the students we trust to your care. I appreciate you and your hard work.

Oh, and by the way, this was NOT paid for by the Administration on Profit Drive and I didn't collect thousands of dollars to tell you how wonderful I think you all are. (And I will not sing "Puff the Magic Dragon" or stand on a chair to tell you how great my teaching was in Harlem, either.)