The Back Page
Thank a teacher; it’s long overdue
By Riney Jordan

Someone recently sent me a list of things that adults see one way and kids see another. For example, when we see a puddle of muddy water, we avoid it. We see it as something to mess up our shoes, not track into the house, something to avoid. When a child sees it, however, he sees a place to splash, make imaginary rivers, float sticks and have a wonderful time.

Oh, to be a child again.

Well, the article got me thinking about how the world sees things, as opposed to how teachers and other educators view them.

When the world sees low test scores, they see a school that needs to work harder. When educators see low test scores, they see it as a challenge and realize, once again, that this year’s class is not the same as last year’s.

When the world sees a tax increase, they see it as extravagant and unnecessary. When educators see a tax increase, they see needs being met that had to be “Band-Aided” before.

When the world hears of a teacher who had to leave the classroom because she couldn’t handle it, they see someone who couldn’t take the heat. When school employees see such a teacher, their hearts break because they know she cared too much.

When the world sees an individual commit a horrendous act against society, they cry out that the person’s school should have seen it coming. When the school hears about the former student, they remember a family and a society that failed him long before he enrolled in school.

When the world faces a new problem, such as AIDS or a drug epidemic, they turn to the school and say, “Solve it.” When educators learn of the problem, they silently think, “How can I possibly include one more thing? But it needs to be done.”

When the world sees a family with hungry children, they look the other way. When a teacher sees a hungry child, she feeds him, knowing that a hungry child could never learn.

When the world reads of the death of a mother or father, they say, “How sad.” When teachers read of the loss of a mother or father, they put their arms around the child left behind.

When the world complains that the schools are too easy on kids these days because there’s no corporal punishment, the teacher simply says that there are better ways to improve a child than with more pain in his or her life.

When our country screams that our kids aren’t getting as good an education as they do in foreign countries, the teacher smiles and says: “Have you noticed how many of those youngsters from around the world are attending our colleges and universities?”

However, when the world says that schools aren’t providing enough opportunities for kids, such as art or music or drama, the teacher quietly says, “I agree with you.” When the world says there are too many kids in a classroom, the teacher nods her head and says, “I didn’t think you had noticed.” When the world says that the schools aren’t safe enough for kids today, the teacher says, “You’re right. We could use your help.” When the world reports that their children now have good jobs and are model citizens, the teachers say, “Yes. I recognized that quality in your child years ago.”

Thank you, teachers, for your genuine love for children, for your compassion, for your understanding, for your desire to improve a life, for your gentleness and for sharing your amazing gift.

For although we may not tell you very often, you continue to make an incredible difference in the lives of our children.

Thanking you is long overdue!

RINEY JORDAN, whose best-selling book, “All the Difference,” is now in its sixth printing, is an international speaker and humorist. He can be reached at riney@yahoo.com or by visiting www.rineyjordan.com.