Education: An insider’s view

To the editor:
    I am a high school teacher. I believe that I have the training, resources and experience needed to explain to my students what is happening now, and prepare them for what will happen in the future. I believe that all students can achieve and I come to work every day ready and willing to help my students reach their personal best. I am not preparing them for the SAT or any other test. I am preparing them for life after high school, whatever that may be.
    I am a high school teacher, I help lead young adults to their futures. I must do this despite the hormonal changes that accompany the transition from childhood to adolescence and sometimes throw lives into turmoil. I must do this when their “friends” seem to turn on them, when rumors mean more than the truth, or when they are just having a bad day. I must do this even when school seems to be the least important thing in a 16-year-old’s life. After all, who am I to argue that the family vacation, a headache, the prom, who's dating who, or a friend’s birthday is not more relevant to their lives than fungiform papilla?
    I am a high school teacher and I know much of the information I pass on will soon be obsolete, because much of what I learned in high school is now obsolete. In business class, I learned to use an electric typewriter, now I can keyboard with ease. In my day, I organized my cassettes by artist, now I use iPod playlists. My Mom taught me how to call home collect, now I can SKYPE. In English class I learned how to address a letter, now I know how to Google a URL. As a Scout, I learned to read a compass, now I program my GPS. When I was in grade school a square wasn't a rectangle, my daughter now tells me it is. In geography class, I learned that the Iron Curtain divided the world, now religious dogma seems to be more important than political ideology.
    I am a high school teacher and I am accountable for what happens in my classroom. I strive to instill useful knowledge of my subject, and I demand excellence of my students. I work long hours and I work very hard to provide meaningful exercises that reinforce the knowledge I impart. I provide an atmosphere that encourages learning and minimizes distractions. While I doing all this, I must also be aware of behaviors that indicate substance abuse. I must watch for signs of physical abuse. I must also be alert to the emotional and physical needs of my students. I must be aware of dress code violations. I must be vigilant to ensure that cell phones are not being used. I must be certain that computers are being used appropriately. I am good at all these tasks, but I only see students for an hour and half every other day.
    I am a high school teacher and I am not responsible for what happens outside of my school. I am not responsible for Johnny's parents’ divorce that keeps him up all night and distracts him during the day. I am not responsible for Jane's parents being under employed and her need to work to help support the family. I am not responsible for Joey's new found habit that prevents him from taking advantage of my talents. I am not responsible for the rampant drug abuse that prevents both Dick and Jane from having a safe place to live, let alone to do their homework. I am not responsible for Alice needing to stay at home during the day and take care of her siblings. While I am not responsible, I do participate in committees that are designed to help with these problems.
    I am a high school teacher, I am not perfect, I have good and bad days, but I am proud and I do make a difference.
Michael Hannigan
Houlton