Most teachers and coaches I know go above and beyond what they're supposed to do.
Whether it's extra time, extra money, extra anything, they are willing to do it for the good of their students, their school and themselves.
We may not like that we get paid little to nothing, but it's something that we are willing to do because we love out jobs, the expectations match the pay scale, and we care.
But...
The more you tell us we have to do, the less we're willing to do on our own, or without pay.
You give me less plan time, I'm probably not going to grade as many things because I can usually get it done during the school day.
Home is for me and my family.
You don't match my pay with every other corporation in our area, the love that we don't feel will show up in passive aggressive rebellion.
Yea, sometimes it will be flat out complaining in small circles, but we won't be at as many athletic events, band events, theater events, open houses, orientations, etc. that we love to do, but do without pay.
So don't pay us, take our time away, and mandate more box checking items to do, and you will see the morale drop in a school and you will also see teachers not doing things they used to love to do because, well we don't like being pushed.
A lot.
With that being said, I have had an attitude adjustment with the above things in the last couple of months.
Why do I teach?
For the kids.
Then do your dang job and teach the kids.
Check the boxes.
And teach the kids.
Do less work at home, do fewer events.
But teach the kids.
And enjoy doing what you felt called to do in the first place.
Even if someone is trying to suck the joy out of teaching.
Teach the kids.
Love the kids.
Remember why you got into education.
And do your dang job.
