Disillusionment

         In this section of Teaching Hope, there were many different forms of teacher struggles that one thinks about but never really knows how to deal with. It is a difficult area in which to explore this idea of having to listen to administrators and those above you who are not benefiting your class and students but hindering them. The first blog that stood out to me in this section was the blog numbered 77, which was the second blog in. As the students complain about having another test and the teacher recites the struggles they faced that one morning already, I think of the honesty being expressed in this text and even the message hidden within the greater picture. Most of these tests of knowledge are inaccurate representations of what students know and have learned. This is due to the fact that the tests show a student on one day who may have had a rough day or may be nervous. The results are not as accurate as if they were to observe their progression throughout the year much like the teacher does. The teachers know what their students are capable of and though we as teachers try to voice this opinion to those above us they refuse to listen. It is true that they have lost the memories of what being a teacher is like. They have given teachers goals to achieve in a years time yet they spend one day examining if these students have reached the goals set out by the board. These students are not given the respect and trust they deserve to show how hard they are trying to work to achieve all they can. Instead, these students are being cheated by an inaccurate judgment of what they know and beings forced to move forward when they cannot even voice their concerns. This is horrible, yet it happens in every grade level at every school in the country. We as teachers just need to encourage our students and show them that we know how brilliant they are.

            The second and third entries that moved me were the last two in this section. They were both very similar in some ways but different in others. They were numbered 108 and 109. They both discussed stories of teachers who were working hard and really impacting their students’ lives. One teacher was going to be awarded Teacher of the Year. However, their administrators then fired both unfairly. One was fired merely based on the color of her skin. The other one was told how wonderful she was then given a letter that knocked the wind out her. Neither saw it coming and both had no opportunity to say anything. The first of these teachers found in entry 108 summed it up so well. This teacher’s words were encouraging and wonderful at the same time. She claimed, “teaching is about never giving up, no matter the risks” (245). The second teacher also was encouraging stating the truth that we teachers need to remember which is that we are there in the classroom “for the kids” (246). These words are encouraging and the ways in which the many teachers handled themselves in this section were great examples and resources for when I am a teacher. I really enjoyed hearing the intricacies of this aspect of teaching and how one should conduct him or her self.