Teaching ate me alive

[MissB]

9. I can't imagine.

This last week, I went to back-to-school night at the high school. My oldest is a freshman this year, and it seemed prudent to meet his teachers. Plus, they were giving up a good chunk of their evening to be there.

The language arts teacher is new this year. A few of the older staff retired, and this teacher is one of a handful of new ones. She isn't fresh out of college but she has the enthusiasm of a brand new teacher.

She told us a story that was meant to let us know how grateful she is to have this job. When she started this fall, her new colleagues told her to wait until the day she had her first assignment due.

All 65 of her freshman kids (three classes worth) turned their assignment in. On time. The kids at this school want to be here. She mentioned that some of them even thank her every day as they leave the class for their next period.

That is what teachers across the US should face every day.