Another school year is nearly over, my 23rd year as a public school teacher. At the end of each of those 23 years, I reflect on the year's lessons, not only the ones I've taught, but the ones life has taught me.
This year, here's what I learned:
Teachers are an amazing workforce.
Lately, public education has been in the news, dismissed as a failing institution. With charter schools expanding and our Secretary of Education endorsing for-profit private school vouchers, I thought about teachers I worked with over two decades.
There was third grade teacher, Miss Lee. A student that year had a terrible thing happen - her mother was killed. Miss Lee attended the funeral, holding her sobbing young student's hand through the service. Miss Lee tutored the girl after school and never lost touch with her over the years. When that girl got married, it was Miss Lee who walked her down the aisle.