I sit down with one of my students, for what turned into a reflection on the last chapter of my time at this school. She talks about how important it was for students to have someone who could bridge the gap between them and their teachers—someone who spoke up for “the party that wasn’t there.” Explaining the teachers’ perspective to frustrated students made a real difference. I was genuinely shocked when she told me, “I know for me personally, if we didn't have some of the conversations we had, I would still not like a ton of the teachers I have.”
I wish I hadn’t needed the reassurance, but the bullying and ostracization from some of my colleagues—and their insistence that teachers thought I was a "joke"—got to me.
My student’s words reminded me why the values I held onto as an educator—the importance of empathy, the necessity of real communication, and speaking up for those who aren’t present—were worth it, even if it meant losing my position.
Voices of the Unheard: January 9, 2023