You are a valuable teacher on Labor Day and every day. Let people know it.
As a teacher, you work hard to meet the needs of your students. The teacher bashing propaganda abounds as the Corporate-Industrial Complex pushes their profiteering version of “education reform.” Take no abuse.
You are educated, credentialed, experienced, certified or licensed for competency and expertise, and dedicated to your profession and all of our children. (You call your students “my kids” for a good reason. Be proud of it.)
As a response to the “cut-cut-no-matter-what” mindset regarding teacher pay and teacher valuation, you must assert yourself daily on a local level. Remain positive. You have earned every dollar of your salary, and you need to openly show pride in your support of the local economy. Make your own “leave behind” cards everywhere you spend money in any form (cash, credit card, checks, etc.).
Leave them in restaurants, with tips for waitresses, at doctors’ offices, when you speak with nurses, in tax service offices, with hair stylists, at pet supply stores, in grocery stores, with cashiers, etc. Engage people in brief conversations.
Believe in yourself and let people know that you are a valuable, though
