Teacher Tea
The Power of Community: Supporting Colleagues and Overcoming Challenges in Teaching
It’s very difficult to teach in a vacuum, yet we often end up isolated in our classrooms. Making the effort to collaborate and connect with our colleagues pays huge dividends, however, since most of the challenges that we face are systemic or community-wide. Their solutions must therefore be collective by default.
When teachers uplift each other, they contribute to a positive work environment that ultimately benefits the entire school community. Together, they can advocate for necessary changes and create a more sustainable profession. So what can we do to improve working conditions for teachers? And what role might newer technology play, for instance, in providing teacher support? In his article for NEA Today, “Should I Stay or Should I Go?,” teacher Nicholas Ferroni reflects on his struggles and successes after 21 years of teaching.
Despite grappling with the challenges of the profession, including low pay and societal attacks on education, Ferroni ultimately chose to remain in the classroom, driven by his deep affection for his students. He candidly describes the systemic hurdles that teachers face, such as unsustainable workloads and public criticism, which often compel them to consider leaving the profession altogether. To address these challenges, he argues that teachers must actively share their experiences and become vocal advocates for change. Drawing on his personal journey, Ferroni reflects on the emotional highs and lows of a teaching career, tracing his passion for education back to the inspiring mentors who guided him. While acknowledging the demanding nature of the profession, he also describes the profound fulfillment that comes from contributing to the success of the next generation and giving back to his community. Ultimately, Ferroni implores his fellow teachers to utilize their voices for advocacy, and rediscover their joy by focusing on the profound impact that they have on their students' lives.
Teaching is a noble profession—a calling to serve society by imparting knowledge and shaping young minds. While financial compensation matters, and teachers should be paid fairly out of principle, it is rarely the primary reason for teachers to enter or remain in the field. Teachers are driven by a commitment to guiding students' intellectual growth, moral development, and critical thinking skills. They begin their careers with high expectations, and a dedication to holding students accountable for their behavior and academic performance. But this accountability depends on students having a basic sense of respect for authority, which, in spite of politicized debates on the topic, is absolutely essential for maintaining order in the classroom and creating a positive learning environment for everyone. Parents play a vital role in instilling these values, and the degree to which they fulfill that role has an enormous influence on whether teaching becomes a fulfilling and enjoyable profession.
While the challenges facing teachers are undeniable, achieving the goals of education requires a renewed focus on its core principles. Disillusioned teachers might rediscover their professional joy, and continue to mold future generations, if all stakeholders maintain high expectations.