I Cried

I cried tonight.  At school. In a large group. With district leaders.  With families. With staff. I cried.

My school is shutting down because of NCLB.  We don't make "Adequate Yearly Progress."  Our K-5 program is being replaced by a charter school.  Our 6-8 is being phased out over the next three years.

I cried.  When three parents repeatedly asked about how the middle school students would get a high quality education.  I cried. 

I'm a good teacher.  No,  I'm a great teacher.  I make a difference.

What will our middle schoolers get as they are phased out?  Limited staffing.  Limited access to higher level classes.  Limited quality teachers.  Limited classmates.  Limited support.

As a teacher who teaches to the best of his ability.  As a teacher who will sit with a student in the nurse's office and visit them in the hospital.  As a teacher who laughs with, hugs, and connects with students.  As a teacher who grew up and lives in the neighborhood.  As a teacher who knows the struggles despite the color differences.  As a teacher who can't stand to see all this garbage.  As a teacher who thinks about lesson plans in the shower and at 3:00 in the morning.  As a teacher who is witnessing the collapse of something good.

I cried.