I am thankful for so many things every day, but like most folks I take those things for granted. Since this blog is BCPS-centric, I thought I'd share some of the things in the system that I am grateful for.
Some of the things I am thankful for include (but are not limited to):
School custodians who not only take care of the school facilities, but who implement cost saving measures every day and who keep our schools safe and clean for our students every day.
School maintenance crews who also work tirelessly to keep our schools safe and functional. Wish I had some maintenance crews at my house. I have destructive students here, so I do have part of the equation already. (I am thankful for my destructive students, too.)
Bus drivers. I don't know how you do it. I remember riding the bus. I don't know how you do it. (Yes, that is redundant, but I don't know how they do it.) Thank you.
Technology folks who keep the schools "connected," and who work with a sometimes failing infrastructure to provide services to the schools. What would the system do without them?
Food service workers who provide nourishment and a smile every day, and who practice empathy everyday when dealing with students who consistently forget their lunch money, or and who practice generosity to those who have no lunch money to forget.
The unsung heroes in the Central Office who rise above and beyond the call of duty to fill in the gaps and provide the actual time and effort to fulfill the mandates of their "superiors." There are so many of you who have kept your heads down and who have focused on the difficult tasks of keeping the system running at a time when it would have been easier to walk away and let the those in charge actually have to deal with their own (often specious) directives.
Principals and assistant principals whose leadership is tested daily by demands from above and below, but who are able to balance loyalty to their employees, care and concerns for their students, and the constant pressure to improve scores while trying to provide a "whole" education for the students.
Secretaries and support personnel. You are such a relief to young students when you show them a smile and sympathy. You are priceless to those you work for. You are often a great buffer between parents and teachers and principals.
Teacher assistants. Providing another kind face and support in the classroom. You are a such a benefit to students and teachers alike.
Substitute teachers. Thanks so much for doing such a difficult job for so little reward. (I remember how we used to treat substitute teachers – we didn't make their jobs easy. I have a feeling not too much has changed in that regard.)
Teachers. (I include instructional coaches here.) A group whose "calling" to teach has been taken advantage by society in general to justify paying you so much less than you are worth. (It seems that if we as a society know that someone feels "called" to do a particular job, we can pay them less.) If I were to enumerate all of the qualities you exhibit that I am thankful for, I would be at the computer for the next couple of hours. Suffice it to say that I am grateful for all that you do – under difficult circumstances, for little monetary reward.
Thank you.
