After the loathsome teacher bashing that has been coming from certain conservative quarters these past weeks, it is refreshing to see some people coming aggressively to the defense of American teachers.
The video above was made by teacher and nationally known performance poet Taylor Mali. (Some of you may have already have seen the video as it’s getting madly passed around.)
Below you’ll find an account from the Cleveland Plain Dealer of a letter from a conservative, tea-party-voting husband who apologizes to his wife for the new anti-teacher climate.
Here’s a part of it:
Dear Honey,
I’m sorry.
I am a conservative husband, belong to the Tea Party and I voted for John Kasich. I have been married to a Cleveland teacher for almost 14 years and my vote let her down.
I apologize:
For letting people tease you about having the summer off and not asking them to thank you for the tough days ahead that begin in early August. I know for a fact you work more hours in those 10 months than many people do in 12. All those hours are earned.
For complaining that my Sunday is limited with you because you must work.
For making you think you have to ask permission to buy a student socks, gloves and hats.
For not understanding that you walk through a metal detector for work.
For leaving dirty dishes in the sink [when you awoke] for your 4 a.m. work session. I should know you have to prepare.
For thinking you took advantage of the taxpayers. Our governor continues to live off the taxpayer dole, not you…..