Mahncke Park Neighborhood

teechurs aint Upreesheateit: a Komenterry

Apr 22, 2005

Recently, I had to bite my tongue in proper company. Firstly, because I was stupefied and, secondly, well because I just didn't know what to say, it coming from someone I had (previously) thought to be fairly well educated. Here i should point out that I've been told, too many a time, that biting my tongue isn't something that, apparently, doesn't come natural to me. So, for that reason alone, I should get serious bonus points for restraint.

"All teaching is IS baby-sitting," this person snorted, their nose disjointedly jutting into the fine air high above my common-ness.

Now, I can only surmise that this person was referring to the teaching professions in elementary, middle, and high schools. And, I really thought that this sentiment was, well, archaic. As you can guess and as this person knew, I am of the profession.

I had to think of what it was that I did that week to offer up as a counter.

Let?’s see, I thought: We?’d just completed a review of the literary elements of onomatopoeia, alliteration, metaphor, and simile in language arts. We?’d practiced synonyms, antonyms, and author?’s purpose. We had earlier completed the book Holes by Louis Sachar and unraveled the complicated thematic threads of Destiny and ?“God?’s
Thumb?” therein [Parents, take note: every single non-reader LOVED this book]. In social studies, we uncovered the stinging resonance of the Holocaust through our textbook, then did an Internet research project, had a field trip to the Holocaust museum, and a visit with an actual Auschwitz survivor. This latter theme impressed all of us beyond measure: shock and awe and horror and even tears I suspect mean, thankfully, that they won?’t forget.

But, by then, the time for a clever and tart retort was well past. The conversation had
moved on and my counter had to be filed in the Too Late category. I hate it when that happens but, at least in this instance, Miss Manners would?’ve nodded approval for the outcome.

Honestly though, I guess there is some baby-sitting in my job. Composite snips from
daily class and individual-student interactions: Spit out that gum. Hey, I?’m not the
pencil/paper/scissors/fill-in-the-blank store. Get on task, NOW. Spit out that gum. Follow along with us next time so that I don?’t have to explain the directions to you because you weren?’t following along in the first place, like I?’ve told you twice before. Spit out that gum. Tuck in that shirt. Get your finger out of there, kid. Spit out that gum. How would you feel if someone said/did that to you? No, I never wanted to wear a toupee. Yes, these are my real teeth and spit out that gum so that you can have your teeth when you're my age. What do you mean you forgot to do your homework? and why isn?’t this finished? Spit out that gum. Less talk-more work. Stop that damn cussing NOW! Let?’s move it...chop-chop. No gang colors allowed. Did you want to see a counselor? I had to tell because it?’s the law and, even more, because I care about what happens to you. Spit out that gum. Where did those bruises/scratches/cuts come from? Why are you so hand shy? I?’m sorry to hear about your dad/mom/brother/baby sister/best friend. Spit out that gum. I don?’t know what causes that kind of cancer/disease. Why are you here?...isn't your mom?’s funeral is today...? Spit out that gum. Yes, that was her and her mom in the newspaper and we need to talk as a class about it. Spit out that gum...

And besides that, I want to point out here that it is not unusual for teachers to, occasionally, spend their own money on baby-sitting items; from food for the family to shoes for little first graders to sweaters for sixth graders who have to walk to school in 50 degree weather. You can probably guess why.

Yeah, most teachers would agree that it can be a mental and emotional strain at times. Yes, there are DEFINITELY people who should not be in the field. Yes, most teachers I know love their jobs and their kids and find deep significance in what they do.

I hate to be cynical, but, unfortunately, I?’m now starting to think that a lot of people feel
teaching is only a trivial pursuit. I see that sentiment reflected in the Republican-controlled Texas legislature for they are trying their very hardest to turn back time and pay us at a baby-sitting wage.

Well and finally, I doubt if this semi-rambling will change many minds. That for whatever reasons. But for those of you that have reached the end of this article and still see us as only ?“baby-sitters,?” I?’ve got a question for you; How is it, really, that you were able to get to the end of this article? That is, where-oh-where did you get most of YOUR education for those first 12 years of schooling?


Rene M. Ramirez


[This commentary in no way reflects the opinions of anyone except the author]