All I do is think about the kids

I would like to share some thoughts with the author of “Our View” printed on the May 16 editorial page.

I teach in a Title I school in Elgin Area School District U-46. I think about my students every day when I begin my 17-mile commute at 5:30 a.m. to arrive in my classroom by 6 each morning.

I and several other teachers spend two hours before the kids arrive preparing for the day.

I think about the kids as I work through most of my lunch period calling parents, meeting with other teachers, completing necessary paperwork and following up on whatever needs my attention.

I think about the kids as I miss out on being with my own son and stay at school until 8 p.m. to read to them and their families during a Literacy Evening.

I think about the kids every night as I spend several hours doing paperwork, completing intervention plans, progress reports, report cards, emailing parents, writing letters, analyzing data, etc., all in an effort to be a more effective teacher.

The day after school is finished many teachers, myself included, will be thinking of the kids as we spend the entire day at our district office reviewing and planning strategies to increase student achievement.

The teachers in Elgin Area School District U-46 agreed to a pay freeze two years ago and have worked without a contract and pay increase this year. Add to that the TRS debacle.

Yes, the pearls of wisdom from someone who doesn’t have a clue has given us clearer insights to finally think about the kids. Thank you so much for this enlightened “Aha” moment!

Jan Wilcox

West Chicago