Teachers have had to encounter several rules that society has placed them for many years. For example, no going out on a school night after 7 p.m. and yes those were the rules. Schools have also faced racial discrimination. In the 1990s, Massachusetts was once considered last in education in the United States. That did change as we are number one in the country, but the system has a long way to go. Teachers have to start preparing as early as high school. Some may have programs that are extremely beneficial since it takes 2 years of college to become a substitute or take a test. It takes 3 years of college to be a paraprofessional or a test. It takes a series of tests just for one license and then to go on to a master's degree. It takes working 3 years to be a professional teacher. There is the principal, vice-principals, nurses, aides, superintendent, parents/guardians, specialists, and so many others, and most importantly the students to make a school work. We cannot forget the cross guards and lunch ladies. Oh and some of the lunches need work too.There's a lack of technology especially when Covid-19 has everyone learning online. We may know how to use it even if we get it or not enough funding and never get it. A double edge sword, unfortunately. Teachers have a laundry list to complete and it needs to be fixed. Let's change this.

They take their time out of their day to do testing. IEP's need to be the same across states. Some other issues include maternity leave-which it is a crime to take a puppy away from its mother before 8 weeks, but we get 6. Also sick days, lack of pay hands down we should be paid like gods. Before we make our Pinterest worthy classrooms with not too much or too little decorations with our own money we need a resume, cover letter, recommendations, 543 years of experience, accounts, and test scores. Just to name a few things. When we enter the classroom teachers, must be prepared to face what the students are facing like bullying, a terrible home life, lack of food, health issues, and disabilities. Also, FYI uniforms are not appropriate since some students cannot handle sensory issues. These are just some of the struggles in schools.

Here is the list of a day in a teacher's life:

5:30 a.m: Wake up, eat, dress, makeup, shower, drive to school no matter the weather, check in with co-workers, answer emails, set up the room, attendance, snack, lunch duty, lessons etc.

8:25 a.m: Don't lick the desk

3:00 p.m: dismissal, stay after, meetings, parent-teacher conferences, and extracurricular

6:00 p.m: Wine, wine, and lots of wine

And we do it to see smiling faces and light bulbs go off and thoughts shared with them helping each other with compassion. It is truly the best feeling to see what they get excited about and it is all worth it when the battles are won and we do it all again the next day.