FORGET SUPERMAN
(and in some states, none), is not there to make sure that bad teachers keep their jobs; it is there to make sure that all people get due process. Batman doesn’t want to kill the criminals; he wants them to get their day in court.
Guggenheim concentrates on schools in D.C., Los Angeles, and New York. Wow, are those school systems really representative of all school systems across America? Not to disparage those school systems- you really have to want to be a hero to work in schools that are notoriously under-funded, under serviced, under-protected, under-parent supported, and under-remunerated. Based on my experience in a public high school in a poor section of Richmond, VA, I can tell you that there are some very heroic teachers giving herculean efforts everyday trying to overcome odds that make great movies. Anyone ever heard of The Freedom Writers? Lean on Me? Dangerous Minds? These superheroes work for very little money, often not getting raises for years. They do it even though the parents often don’t---or can’t--- give home structure, support or time to the students who are often in most need of help or encouragement. They do it even though they often don’t have resources (forget computers, they don’t have books!). They do it even though everyday they have to go through metal detectors, look for gang colors, and worry about violence in the classroom. They do it even though the buildings are often falling down, roach infested, mold riddled, and (re)built by the company who gave the lowest bid. Makes you want to be a teacher, doesn’t it?
I have been teaching for 20 years. I am lucky enough to be in a county that has computers in every classroom. I have great parent support, great administrative support, and great community support. My students are diverse, creative, interesting, well-taken care of, and motivated to do well. I have a good reputation in my county; parents are generally happy with me, students are generally happy with me, and the administration is generally happy with me. I participate in conferences as often as I can. I scour the internet for new ideas and information. I spend many nights and weekends at school supporting my students. I grade papers nights, weekends, in waiting rooms, on planes, and during vacations. I spend my own money on things for my classroom and for the kids. When I started teaching in 1991, I made around $23,000 a year. I don’t even make $50,000 a year now, - and I have a Master’s Degree. How many people who have been in the same job, in the same company, with good reviews, a good reputation, and a Master’s make that little? And I have not gotten a raise in three years.
But, like Batman, I am not doing this for the reward or the recognition. I do this because intrinsically it is rewarding. I make a difference every day. I care about my students. I care that when they go out in the world, they are prepared and ready. I care that they learn humanity and tolerance. I care that they are able to reason and read. I care that they are able
14 Virginia Educational Leadership Vol. 8 No. 1 Spring 2011
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