I am now in the final weeks of my career as a public school teacher…🍎
Reflecting on my thirty-eight years; I have taught so many children from grades ranging from kindergarten to fifth grade; dating back from 1972, up to the present.. I even had a wonderful opportunity teaching a college seminar for beginning teachers at the University of Florida, while on a sabbatical working on an advanced course work in counseling education…
I feel so blessed…touching the lives of so many children….
I did have to retire briefly for five years due to my health…However, I still was able to advocate for children in the court system during that time as a Guardian ad Litem…
Teaching, being an advocate for children has been my lifetime passion…
I have such mixed feelings about my retirement…
It is my strong belief that I am leaving at a time our bright intelligent children, especially those from poverty, who solely rely on our public education system are not being adequately represented…Our priorities for children are hindered by an emphasis on testing and collection of data…Our schools that teach children from challenging homes have fewer resources making teachers such as myself overwhelmed and devalued by being micromanaged…And making all this even more difficult;
fewer strong, young, professional teachers will no longer commit to such a rewarding career...For this I have such regret…
As for myself…I will always feel the need to advocate for our children, and their right to a strong free public education…
And know that I really did make a difference!
Posted from WordPress for Android
Janis Sexton...Teacher...Advocate 