As an educator in this community since 1988, I have witnessed many changes. I actually started teaching back in the day where air-conditioned classrooms did not exist.
So, things have changed. I do not believe for the better.
I have come feel like an indentured servant working for a very corrupt and insensitive district.
I have come to believe our profession has been raped and plundered by politicians seeking to serve their own self-interest, administrators who seek the fast-track to the big bucks with little regard to the true meaning of "pubic education."
And then there are the vendors, who crawl out of the woodwork when districts are rich.
Will it ever be possible to be a respected educator in this country anymore?
I only have a handful of years left in the system, but I am very determined to improve the slave-like conditions of educators in my community.
I refuse to call myself a "teacher" anymore. In this county that is the equivalent of free "daycare."
That is not what I do - do you?