Teachers, I’m not in the trenches anymore, but I’m still with you, and here on this day after the 4th of July, I’m still writing about you and for you because I know how hard it is right now. Maybe you feel abandoned by many in your country who so praised your efforts during the pandemic and now question your methods and motives. So much you’re asked to do with so few resources, the rapid rise of online teaching, learning new technologies that radically change all of education, the charges of indoctrination, of harming your students with what you have them read and write, worries you will offend and be reprimanded, often never knowing how you offended.
It’s hard but keep teaching. Keep writing!
You know how good it feels when you get an awful e-mail from an administrator, student, or parent and you compose a fiery response but never send it? Next time, why not take that e-mail and turn it into an essay, short story, poem, or monologue and submit it to Teach. Write.?
It’s time for us to stir the pot. Even if only the contributors and their friends and family read the journal, we can still communicate the frustrations of our profession. You can be a part of this little community of educators and writers–a growing community of people from all over the world.
No matter where you live and teach or write, I would love to see work that explores what is like to be a teacher right now as well as suggestions on how we can improve our situations. How can fellow teachers, administrators, parents, and the general public help with the problems with education in America. If you aren’t American, does your homeland suffer from some of the same problems? Are there some things your country does that might improve our American educational system?
I know, I know, it’s hard, but we need you. Don’t give up.
Keep teaching. Keep writing.
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Teach. Write‘s current submission period is open until September 1, and the next edition will be published on October 1. Be sure to take a look at the submission guidelines before sending me your work. I can’t wait to read your work!