A TEACHER’S INTERVIEW

After being interviewed by the school administration, the eager teaching

prospect said: “Let me see if I’ve got this right . . .

You want me to go into that room with all those kids, and fill their

every waking moment with a love for learning, and I’m supposed to instill

a sense of pride in their ethnicity, modify their disruptive behavior,

observe them for signs of abuse and even censor their T-shirt messages

and dress habits.

You want me to wage a war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases,

check their backpacks for weapons of mass destruction, and raise their

self esteem.

You want me to teach them patriotism, good citizenship, sportsmanship,

fair play, how to register to vote, how to balance a checkbook, and how

to apply for a job.

I am to check their heads for lice, maintain a safe environment,

recognize signs of anti-social behavior, make sure all students pass the

state exams, even those who don’t come to school regularly or complete

any of their assignments.

Plus, I am to make sure that all of the students with handicaps get an

equal education regardless of the extent of their mental or physical

handicap.

I am to communicate regularly with the parents by letter, telephone,

newsletter and report card. All of this I am to do with just a piece of

chalk, a computer, a few books, a bulletin board, a big smile AND on a

starting salary that qualifies my family for food stamps! You want me to

do all of this and yet you expect me . . .

NOT TO PRAY ????”