We See You, We Appreciate You, and We’re Committed to Advocating for You
Like many others, I was taken aback when I learned about the appointment of a new secretary of education who lacks any real experience in public schooling. This individual has shown little understanding of the challenges faced by students, particularly those with disabilities, and is vague on critical issues such as school safety. For parents like me, who have children in public schools, this news was disheartening. As a mother of two who attend public school, I immediately began to worry about how these decisions would impact their education and the hardworking teachers shaping their futures.
This issue resonates deeply with me, as education runs in my family. Both of my grandparents dedicated their lives to teaching—my grandmother as a pioneering math educator and my grandfather as a chemistry teacher turned principal. My mother, a devoted single parent, spent 25 years teaching special education. Now, my husband teaches high school English in New York City.
I have witnessed the tireless dedication of teachers firsthand. Contrary to popular belief, teaching is not an easy job. You might think, “They finish by 3 p.m. and get summers off—what a dream!” But that’s far from the truth.
For instance, my husband rises at 5 a.m. to prepare for school, arriving by 6:30 to get ready for the day ahead. He works diligently throughout the school day, using his planning periods to grade assignments and refine lessons. After school, he often stays late for meetings and additional prep work, and during breaks, he can be found catching up on paperwork.
He faces regular evaluations and spends many sleepless nights worrying about his students, especially those struggling emotionally or academically. It’s no wonder that many educators are overwhelmed and often feel unappreciated for their immense contributions.
But here’s the important part: those of us who entrust our children to public school educators truly value your work. We may not say it often enough, but we are deeply grateful. We recognize the challenges of managing a classroom filled with our children, and we admire your commitment to making a lasting difference in their lives.
We see you balancing your lunch breaks with lesson planning, calling parents, and collaborating with colleagues. We understand that you often spend your own money on classroom supplies and celebrations. We know that you hold our children close to your heart and share in their triumphs and struggles, just as we do.
We recognize that you face numerous obstacles, from insufficient funding to lack of support, and that you often work long hours, sometimes receiving unkind remarks from various sources. And let’s be honest, you absolutely deserve your summer breaks—and a raise!
As we move forward, we want you to know that we stand with you in solidarity. Many of us are becoming more politically active, ready to advocate for public education and support our teachers. We’re eager to join school boards, PTA meetings, and public education advocacy groups. We will volunteer our time and resources to ensure that schools remain the inspiring places they are meant to be.
Teachers, you are not alone. We recognize your relentless efforts on behalf of our children, and now, more than ever, we will join you in unity, strength, and gratitude. Thank you for everything you do.
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In summary, we see you, we appreciate you, and we are committed to fighting for the support and recognition you deserve as educators.