Comments on: Why we stay: Reflections of an Oakland teacher

By: Peter L. Fischl

Peter L. Fischl — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 19:21:08 +0000

Dear Teacher Jilln E Thomas ,
Read about You in Teaching Tolerance Magazine, about you and your brilliant poet students.You can go to google and read my poem :”To the Little Polish Boy Standingt with his arms up”.Type inb GOOGLE: peter Fischl Poem. I like to send You my teaching materials free, Please contact me via email peterlfischl@verizon.net or (909)-393 -4078
Best Wishes
Peter L. Fischl

By: Barbara Tagg

Barbara Tagg — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 19:30:13 +0000

I am a retired teacher after 34 years and I’m literally thrilled to read your reflections on teaching. I just hope you continue to feel enough satisfaction, knowing you have made a huge difference for a lot of kids, so that you will continue to stay in the field. There’s no more rewarding job in my opinion.
Wait till you see how many kids you will hear back from over the years (in person, by letter or Facebook!)
You’ll really know then why you continued to teach!

By: Maggie

Maggie — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 22:00:31 +0000

Great job on this piece, Jill! I love reading your writing, and I love reading about urban teaching, and I love your inclusion of our cohort’s feelings about their work. I wish that more teachers stuck around long enough to transition to administration so that they could control structures like master-scheduling to support teacher retention. I also wish the media explained how reduced funding for schools directly impacts teaching and learning through increased loss of new teachers during bad economic times.

By: Denise

Denise — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:30:03 +0000

Totally uplifting and true! I share many of your frustrations and hopes. I am starting my 3rd year at an alternative charter school in downtown Denver and this is just what i needed before my first day of school tomorrow!

By: Britt

Britt — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 05:24:04 +0000

Thank you for the encouragement. I’m going into my second year teaching in the inner city in Kansas City and your reflections provide answers to some questions. It’s refreshing to read the very real frustrations of a loving teacher, to sense the distressed tone, and yet walk away knowing that you care no less than the one who “talks from the clouds” as if nothing gets to them. Thank you and please keep fighting.

By: Yumi

Yumi — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 04:21:41 +0000

Thank you Jill for sharing your thoughts so eloquently. As a teacher now heading into my 7th year, I still question whether I can make it another year. This internal struggle would not be here if public education was truly valued for communities of color and we were recognized as professionals. I am absolutely committed to my students but that commitment alone can not help me develop as a professional. I appreciate the work we’ve done so far; it’s motivated me to continue my practice.

By: Curt Douglas

Curt Douglas — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:04:24 +0000

I am an urban high school English teacher as well, and about to begin my fifth year. I am struck after reading this article by how few of the conditions for success mentioned in it are present at my school site: my work load has rarely been manageable, I have often shuffled between different classes rather than developing mastery of a single course, and efforts to develop an intellectual community of teachers is often thwarted by teacher fatigue. I love my students and my colleagues, but it makes me reflect on why I personally choose to stay. “Sense of mission” is definitely key. Also, I agree that whether it be through a sense of professional community or an opportunity to take on leadership roles, it is important to know that you have an influence in the larger structures of the school.

By: turner

turner — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:46:41 +0000

This is a wonderful essay, Ms. Thomas.

Turner

By: Kate

Kate — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:07:30 +0000

well done, jill!!

By: Harry Thomas

Harry Thomas — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:40:36 +0000

You’ve hit the nail on the head by defining the differrence between teaching “sainthood” and teaching “martyrdom”. We all want you to stay a saint and not die a martyr. Thank you.