We got into a rahter hot discussion on the teacherleaders forum on this topic. For some reason, teachers either really like or really dislike being labeled a martyr. 🙂

Here was my take and several exchanges afterwards.

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Am I a Martyr?

I am not sure this is the question that needs to be asked.I have found with many professional relationships that “complaining” comesfrom a place in the self that does not feel appreciated. Often this comesfrom a fear of saying what you (the professional) should be appreciated for.For example, I am not afraid to say, “I taught a child to read in the last14 month’s whose mother does not know how to read.” I have told so manypeople this story I am sick of hearing it myself. I told my wife, myprincipal, my family, my friends, and my professional colleagues (and nowyou). I am proud of myself and not afraid to say it. I also know I made adifference to that child and her mother.I have always felt appreciated as a teacher. (Maybe I don’t get out much).Anyone in the profession knows what we do and why we are in this profession.Anyone outside the profession appreciates what I do and that they couldnever do it themselves.Is teaching altruistic? YesIs teaching appreciated? YesAre teachers paid well enough? NoThe issues become confusing/frustrating/difficult when the third element isbrought in to the equation. $Money$. Does money = appreciation?If, as a society, we were to base pay on what society appreciated then,teachers would be right up there with doctors. But, that is not how Americansociety functions. We live in a capitalist society. Doctors earn more thanteachers because there is immediate and obvious risk to visiting asubstandard doctor. Doctors also earn more because their profession has beenorganized for much longer than public education. (my guess is since at leastthe middle ages.) CEO’s earn much more than doctors and teachers. Theconflict is that public education is a socialist endeavor in a capitalistsociety. That is why we keep getting business models placed onto education.This is also why these models don’t work.So when we place the religious metaphor on the socialist endeavor in thecapitalist society of course we are martyrs.The better question might be: What is a better metaphor?And once we have found one, or two, or five, be proud to talk about it,because it is through OUR language that perceptions will be changed. Societywill understand us through the language we use to define ourselves.For me, my metaphor is: I am an artist.

John –

While I agree that most of our co-teachers understand what we aredoing, I can’t agree that those outside our profession appreciate us. I have beenreading “Teacher Man” by Frank McCourt, a high school teacher for manyyears, in New York City.He talks about going into a cocktail party and being pushedto the background because he is ‘only’ a teacher. Much as I love my job, Iwill admit to feeling like ‘only’ a teacher at parties, class reunions, andother social events. That feeling is based on years of hearing “Oh.” whentelling strangers I am a teacher. It is very similar to the ‘Oh” I got when I wasstaying home with my children.I also think the economic factor is one of two key issues in our feeling’less than’ . As you say, America is a capitalist society. We value money and wevalue people who make lots of it more than anyone else. That being said,the CEO’s and doctors you mentioned are predominantly men, even now, whileteaching is sill predominantly female. If those numbers were reversed, I think theeconomics would be reversed as well. The gender issue is key to thisdiscussion, I think.

Susan McGilvrayNBCT, 1998

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Susan McGilvray said-

As you say, America is a capitalist society. We value money and wevalue people who make lots of it more than anyone else. That being said,the CEO’s and doctors you mentioned are predominantly men, even now, whileteaching is sill predominantly female. If those numbers were reversed, Ithink theeconomics would be reversed as well. The gender issue is key to thisdiscussion, I think.– Susan, thank your for hitting a point that I missed. And let me justsecond your opinion with an “Ahmen” from the choir. :)But also,How do we change it? From a personal level to a global level I still thinkwe need a new metaphor.I like the open source teaching metaphor I have heard recently on this forumto further advance the practice. One of the hardest parts of the languageapproach is coming up with something that is general and specific. That iswhy I have a problem with the business metaphor in education as well as themedical metaphor.– I sometimes think of teachers as musicians in their variety and genius.Some are classical musicians(planning a beautiful concerto of learning),some are rock stars (hiting the power chords and changing kids livesforever)) and some are jazz musicians(riffinng on themes ala John Coltrane.)I work with some amazing classical musicians at my school. I personally seemyself as a jazz musician. But when we get together we speak the same language.I think we may be able to find a new direction to take our language that isnot so gender specific, since business and medicine are both male dominatedmaybe we can find or invent something else.
Besides, like Ray Charles said, “There are only two kinds of music… Goodand BAD.” Maybe it is the same with teaching.

Thanks,John