NWMS teachers need supporters

I’ve got something to say. And I want you to listen. It is time to stop the nonsense! Seriously! It is time to stand up for our teachers, to stand beside them, to unite with them. It is time to stop the nonsense.

Our teachers get up every day, put on coffee, shower and look at themselves in the bathroom mirror. And they wonder why they are teaching. Then they remember that they really love teaching language arts, or math or history at North Whidbey Middle School. They chose to teach because they want all children to get the best education possible. They see themselves as positive role models and see themselves turning all youngsters into successes.

What isn’t reflected back in that bathroom mirror is a lazy, incompetent, overpaid, piece of pond scum. Our NWMS teachers, who are being demonized, are the same teachers who five years ago were “bringing home” great test scores and graduating top students.

What happened? Today our teachers teach the same number of students with half the teaching staff they had five years ago. Also, the teachers are now expected to be the parents, counselors, policemen, support systems, disciplinarians, friends and mentors to all the students.

The NWMS teachers have been criticized for allowing rumored and untrue misbehavior go on at NWMS. Not true, these negative things have been perpetuated by reporters, parents and district administrators.

Stand up and champion for our teachers at NWMS. Ask them what they need and how you can help. Believe in them as people who take pride in teaching, and realize that they are giving back more than 100 percent to make a positive difference in the lives of children in this community.

Barbara Spence
Oak Harbor

 

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