The other night, I was having a conversation with a future educator, and she was so excited about becoming a teacher. Now, she is a product of a family of educators, but deciding to be a teacher doesn’t always happen with educator’s children.

With that being said, she went on and on about how cool being a teacher was. As I sat there listening, I began to wonder why education does not have more people who are advocates for our profession. The advocacy should come from us, who are veterans, but to listen to a future teacher excited about it is refreshing.

It goes without saying teachers are the cornerstone of the educational system. Yet, how many people do you actually hear advocating for it? It’s a question worth pondering, considering as teachers, we have a hand in shaping society’s future and every profession.

Yet, we only hear stifled voices. Why? Maybe it’s the nature of the profession. Teaching is hard. It’s time-consuming and demanding of your time and your talents. Many teachers take school home with them. If not home, then any other place they frequent. Often, they spend more time with children other than their own. What little time we have for ourselves must be devoted to family and immediate responsibilities.

Now that we have that out of the way let’s talk about how education has historically been undervalued and under appreciated. It really rubs me the wrong way when I hear people say, “Those who can’t, teach.” Educators provide an impact on and in student’s lives that might not happen in any other place. Yet we offer and do it at a level of value of compensation that is laughable compared to other professions. Throw in insufficient resources and the lack of professional autonomy, and you have the best “want ad” ever for a future teacher. Who wants to advocate for a profession that seems like an uphill battle against a system that has had the same issues over the years?

And then there is the decision making process… It’s hard to advocate when non-educators and school leadership often make decisions regarding educational policies that negatively affect their schools. Often, teachers’ voices are marginalized, creating a challenge for influential change for the right educational decisions.

But, let not our hearts be dismayed… despite these challenges and many more, it’s essential for educators to recognize the importance of and the power of advocacy. One voice here, one voice there, voices can become united. United for a profession that instills character, accountability, and responsibility. United for a profession that teaches the unknown to minds that are curious and want to be successful. The voices we hear are from those who are passionate about our vocation. Passionate for being a voice for students who cannot speak for themselves. Passionate for understanding the diverse needs of learners and the success of well-being. Passionate for wanting to be a teacher because they want to be one.

The other night, as our conversation ended, I felt that, just maybe, education does have a chance. If future teachers are idealists, ready to have a servant-leadership mindset, and prepared to debunk the notions and the nay-sayers that teaching is not a lesser profession, education is in good hands and worth promoting as such.

It starts with a “want to teach” mentality. Maybe, “Those who CAN, teach!” What say you? How are you promoting the teaching profession? 

Let’s go fight the good fight of leadership. Someone has to…

Go be a great educator and leader today… Our future needs it…

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2024 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on… Twitter @thebookchamber or follow the blog directly.

Want to share this leadership thought with others? Click on one of the social media sharing buttons below and help spread the good…