of Original version of this essay Published on Medium.
I hate it when people talk about their dreams. It’s like hearing a 4-year-old talk about their day.
It takes more time than it needs to and is never worth it.
Most of the time, I don’t even remember my dreams. Except for the rare ones that are connected to real life. These dreams will never go away. There is a logical glue that provides insight.
This forces me to tell you about a dream I had last week. As you might have guessed from the title, I was being slowly strangled to death by an anaconda. I could feel its grip around my legs and hips as it worked its way up my body. My arm was still free, but it was only a matter of time before the snake wrapped itself completely around me.
Why anaconda? I thought about it later. Did I just see an Instagram reel of a group of people freeing dogs?
Perhaps, but I felt very physically and mentally devastated. Sadly, this feeling has become my new normal as I navigate my post-pandemic education. I recently had a conversation with a friend about my educational concerns, and his words ended with, “Don’t let that consume you.” But I think it might be too late for that advice.
My work consumes me, like an anaconda in a dream.
What it means to teach in Texas in 2024
I teach in Texas, where every day seems like a new nightmare. The challenges teachers face come from a variety of forces, from campus expectations to district mandates to state legislatures, and from all parties including parents, students, administrators, politicians, and society at large. I am.
All these aspects are gathering against us and slowly putting pressure on us against our will.
When trying to talk to people about the state of education, trying to boil down complex funding models and complex political strategies into short elevator pitches can confuse thinking.
I think it’s similar to wrapping an anaconda around your body and telling a story. I have nothing to do with snakes, so I’ll do my best to explain. A teacher in Texas in 2024 learns that his friends have lost their jobs and are leaving the district. without a librarian When reading comprehension is declining.
it’s scary for you Next is my friend who is a counselor. — at some point Student mental health issues are on the rise.
Unable to compete with TikTok, it struggles to maintain student attention.
it’s happening called a “trimmer” To create a learning environment that welcomes all students.
It turns out that some local school board members who are supposed to support public education are receiving support from: political organization I want to destroy it.
We are told that teaching is a “vocation” and that we should be willing to give up lunch breaks, planning periods, and weekends for it.
I’m learning not to give raises. Despite a $32 billion surplus in the national budget.
the My income is lower than it was 10 years ago.because of inflation, I still have to buy tissues for the classroom.
Children are seen fighting in the hallways and using drugs in the restrooms while the adults are concentrating. which books to ban From the library.
I always remind my students to speak up because their voices matter. At the same time, I’m afraid to use my own things..
I hear people say, “Public schools are failing!”when you know Responsibility system is riggedand you’re worried that their purpose is to promote you. governor’s school voucher A plan to defund public education.
The worst part of all is that teachers know they will do it. keep leaving the profession Unless the people of our state prioritize education as an important issue and vote accordingly, they will vote against it in droves.
Educators need support to create better systems
Luckily, even though some days I feel like I’m going to be strangled by an anaconda, I’m not actually being strangled to death. I feel like some people want me to stop using my voice. I feel like they want me to stop voting and stop encouraging others to vote. It seems like he wants to make me feel scared at work or in board meetings. I feel like they want me to give up.
I don’t.
As I recalled my anaconda dream, I remember feeling another hand on my arm pull me away from its control. When the dream ended, I felt regret rather than defeat. It is true that all educators are anxious to receive the level of compensation and respect that they deserve. I get overwhelmed and sometimes battle-weary.
But that doesn’t mean you’re ready to quit.
That means I need help building a better system, just like my dream. The same goes for all public school employees. Society needs to recognize that public education faces a very real threat. our predators are a well-funded political organization They are trying to lead us to extinction.
We need society to really listen. Know the facts, not misinformation. and to vote in the best interest of public schools and students.
If we don’t, I fear the system will swallow us whole.
