Those Trenches..

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Those Trenches..
By Sue

Dear Maxie,

I have been in a school district with loads of money -- and one without.

For me, I can honestly say that both schools had, and have problems and both have their plusses. However, when I was at the school
with the "money" I didn't feel that my life as a teacher was any easier because of it. I did an internship at this school -- I loved the children, but the children there also had problems. They had parents who were on prescription drugs, parents who were never around, parents who thought that spending $150 on them at the book fair was a good idea, a mom who didn't care about her kid's grades

- only that she was "popular."

At the school on the lower income spectrum, I had students whose step-dad's were teaching them bomb building techniques, whose parents were in jail, etc, kids who called their step-dads by the name of the city he lived in, "My Atlanta dad" and wondered why he didn't see him anymore.

My point: The money doesn't always solve all the problems and doesn't always make teaching any easier.

In both systems I had children who learned and cared and who felt safe at school.
As for me, in both systems I had wonderful children who wrote me sweet letters of encouragement, who drew me pictures, who told me I was there favorite teacher, who called me "Mom." I loved them all the same.

I think that you should follow your heart and do what you want to do. If the inner city is not for you, I think that deep down inside, you probably already know it. And, who says you can't venture out to gain other experiences? That is what life is all about. If you don't investigate this job opportunity you will always wonder, "What if?"
Besides, if you discover that your passion is for the inner city, you can always go back a wiser, more experienced teacher. (And hopefully a few room supplies and trade books richer -- I am talking from your own money here

Sue