The floors are waxed and the smell of the laminator fills the air, which can only mean one thing: It is back to school time again. As a former teacher, I remember the excitement and exhaustion that accompanied this time of year. An old saying is, “There is no tired like first-week teacher tired.” This year, it seems our educators are not returning completely reenergized but weary from the attacks and uncertainty that have hammered them over the summer. Their dedication, despite these challenges, is truly commendable.
Educators are the backbone and heart of our society. They play a crucial role in shaping the minds and futures of our youths, yet they are often undervalued and underappreciated. The rhetoric in our state against teachers has been abhorrent, and it is time to end it. It is time for us to recognize the importance of educators and provide them with the support, trust and resources they need to succeed so that our children can succeed. Public education is not just a system; it’s a beacon of hope for our future.