Each morning, I take a seat at my desk to sort out my emails. Some of the emails remain in the inbox, as the "to-do list" for later. Some of the emails get deleted right away, as the "junk" that would take precious time to read. And some of the emails fall into that grey area, as the "what do I do with this because reading it is probably important, but I don't want to" kind of email. (I am picturing a little kid jumping up and down, yelling, "I don't wanna!")
This morning was no different... except that the email to fall into the "what do I do with this because reading it is probably important, but I don't want to" category was from the Department of Public Instruction and included this particular article: Public Education in WI.
Now... I don't often get too "political" and I make a purposeful effort each day to refrain from getting wrapped up in the politics of the state. I'm not sure this is the right response, but I feel that when I start reading things like this, I get SO bogged down. It makes my brain and my heart hurt. My brain and my heart... the same heart that was cared for so wisely by teachers in a public school in Wisconsin. My brain... the same brain that was developed within a Wisconsin public school over the course of many important years. I was taught to question things in order to learn to challenge myself and become a global, mindful citizen.
There is no question that the Wisconsin teachers in my life have shaped who I am and who I will become. Many of those teachers, still teaching in our schools, will also read this article or get this same email. Many of my colleagues will read this piece of news as well. Please tell me how, when our minds and hearts are hurting for our profession, are we supposed to shape the minds and hearts of the children who sit in front of us? No doubt, we will continue to move forward... but the defeating feeling dwells. It stings.
