Teaching in Kansas: How Much More?

A teacher friend of mine was attending a conference and upon learning that she taught in the state of Kansas, someone asked her the question, "Why would you want to teach in Kansas after all that's going on in your legislation?" My friend was taken aback by that question, and as she began to form the words to her answer, the gentleman answered the question for her, "It's because you do it for the kids, right?"  "Of course!" was her reply.

We all know that we do what we do for the kids, despite all the turmoil in the world that seems to be attacking the very institution we've come to know and work so hard to preserve. But how much more should we endure when policy, legislation and lack of social mores seem to be falling down around our feet? With teachers grasping tightly to the exit passes of their careers right and left, what frame of mind should we have during this time of uncertainty? How much more shall we endure?

War on Teachers in Kansas?

One need to only run a quick Google search, and you may easily run across the following types of articles:

Kansas Bill Could Send Teachers to Jail for Six Months for Teaching 'Harmful' Materials

Kansas Could Put Teachers in Prison for Assigning Books Prosecutors Don't Like

Kansas Senate Committee Considers Bill to Remove Teacher Protection

There is a War on Teachers in Kansas

Under Restructured Rules, Kansas Teachers Lose Tenure

Why Sam Brownback is Not an Education Governor

If there isn't a war on teachers in Kansas, it sure feels like there is. The above articles are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what Kansas teachers have been facing in their careers that they know and love. But despite the love of their jobs, quality teachers are re-thinking their commitment. They feel under fire and unappreciated, and the challenge of teaching to larger class sizes, and funding cuts, continue to linger over their heads. Many can't blame quality teachers for bailing out, but should we stop to realize why we do what we do before we make any lasting decisions?

Why Teach in Kansas?

The last time I checked, no teacher ever taught because of complete appreciation, total respect or a grand paycheck; most taught for the same reason as the gentleman stated above, "for the kids." We've all read articles about overworked, underpaid, and underappreciated teachers. We live this daily; this is not news (what may be news is that someone finally had the guts to say it).  So, one has to ask one's self, is the phrase, "You do what you do because you love it." still viable?  You obviously know, that what you do is a treasure, but wouldn't it be nice if we didn't feel at war, and that we actually did what we love for a living and could breathe a little easier because we were not under fire and underpaid? Of course it would!

I don't know about you, but despite the fact that the world seems to be falling in all around me, I still plan on continuing to teach in Kansas. I'm not going anywhere because this is the state that I love, the state I grew up in, and I can't imagine doing anything else. So, despite the war, this IS what I love to do. Despite the unruly legislation coming down the pike, I plan on staying. Despite the heartache, I DO love the kids. This is my life, and I will keep fighting to preserve this way of life for the kids in school now, and yet to come. Why do I teach in Kansas? The same reason I would teach anywhere. I teach for the kids and for their future. Maybe in this time of uncertainty, the students need teachers who care more than ever to help shape their future. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. I teach in Kansas. I do it for the kids.