It Is Just One More Thing

It Is Just One More Thing

Dear Teachers, 

we need one more thing from you. 

It really isn't much to ask. 

When we look at everything else you do, this doesn't seem like a big deal. 

It's just "one more thing."

We heard how you smile and greet students each morning. 

We heard about the way you stopped that little girl, with her shoulders drooping, to see what was wrong, and to give her encouragement in her day. 

We heard how you checked in on her throughout the day, even though she isn't even in your classroom. 

We heard how by the end of the day, she was smiling, and ran to you to give you a big hug. 

We know that this is something you do each day, although each day it's a different student and a different child. 

We promise it is just "one more thing."

We heard how you were the first one in the parking lot this morning and the last to leave at the end of the day, spending your time planning and preparing for the perfect lessons. 

We heard how you had well thought out lesson plans that were differentiated to meet the needs of ALL of your students. 

We heard about your Teachers Pay Teachers Account and the hundreds of dollars you have spent just trying to get the perfect resources and tools for your students. 

We heard about your blisters from your hot glue gun as a result of spending your whole Sunday putting together those inch worms for your measurement lesson. 

Really, it is just "one more thing."

We heard how you comforted and cared for that boy when he fell on the playground. 

You cleaned up his knee, put a band aide on it, kissed your hand and touched it as he smiled with crocodile tears up at you. 

We heard how you gave that little girl a snack in the morning because she hadn't eaten breakfast. 

We heard how you paid for lunch for that boy because his parents haven't sent his money in yet, and he was crying because he would have gotten a plain sun butter sandwich. 

We heard how you let that student quietly rest on the bean bag in your room, because she was up taking care of her siblings last night while her single mom was at work. 

We're telling you, it is just "one more thing."

We heard how you met with your class each morning to talk about the days activities. 

We heard how you brought up and modeled ways to handle conflict in and out of school. 

We heard how students were smiling and sharing with one another, role playing how to express their feelings. 

We heard how you responded to students in an honest and caring way. 

We heard how you took your plan time to eat lunch with a group of kids who were struggling with behaviors in the classroom JUST so you could make sure they know you are there for them. 

But really, it is just "one more thing."

We heard about the way you locked the classroom door and shut the blinds. 

We heard how you calmly and quietly moved the kids to the corner away from the door. 

We heard about the way you smiled at them to let them know this probably was just a practice drill as the "BEEP" BEEP" "BEEP" of the lock down alarm was ringing.

We heard how you put yourself closest to the door knowing that if it were real, you would do anything to protect these children because...

YOU LOVE THEM. 

Honestly though, it is just "one more thing."

We have never been a teacher in a classroom, but we know what is right for kids. We just know!

We make the decisions on what tests you use and determine if you are doing a good enough job. 

We want you to prove your worth on your evaluations by spending hours and hours uploading or collecting evidence of what you do on a daily basis. 

We will know if you are an effective teacher only if your kids are making adequate growth on their test scores. 

We just have "one more thing" for you since we know it's not a big deal. 

We want you to conceal and carry a gun. 

Because, it's not a big deal, it's just "one more thing."

Or is it?

Best regards, 

Your Politicians