Teachers are changing lives

It’s not easy being a teacher these days, especially in Kansas. But as USD 259 begins classes this week – as other area schools have already done – teachers will once again prove themselves to be dedicated, caring professionals concerned with helping students succeed and grow.

Teaching is always a challenge. In addition to large classes of students with varying achievement levels, teachers must deal with discipline issues and various societal problems, including students who are homeless.

Unfortunately, the job has gotten more difficult due to actions in Topeka.

Inadequate state funding caused school districts to lay off teachers, cut services and offer small – if any – pay increases. Wichita also lengthened its school day in order to trim 15 days from the school calendar.

Even more discouraging, some lawmakers targeted teachers for blame and showed little respect for their professional judgment.

In recent years, lawmakers considered bills to repeal state education standards and to prosecute teachers for distributing materials deemed harmful. They also eliminated state-mandated due-process rights for teachers and tried to weaken the teachers union.

It’s no wonder many school districts are struggling to fill teaching vacancies. As of Monday, Wichita had 52 open positions: 11 elementary, 7 middle school, 8 high school and 26 special education. The district also had to fill some library openings with unlicensed para-educators or clerks instead of certified librarians.

USD 259 and its teachers also still haven’t agreed on a new contract.

But there are reasons for optimism at the start of this school year, including:

▪ Recent primary wins, and prospects for more gains in the general election, mean there will be more lawmakers in Topeka next year who support teachers and public education – and who won’t throw a fit if the Kansas Supreme Courts rules, as is likely, that the state is underfunding education.

▪ The Kansas State Department of Education is reducing state testing requirements.

▪ The opening of the new Wichita Southeast High School and the completion of other bond projects reflect continued local support for schools and teachers.

Most importantly, the new school year is a new opportunity to change and transform lives. And that’s why teachers entered and choose to remain in this challenging profession: to make a difference.

This story was originally published August 23, 2016 at 5:07 AM with the headline "Teachers are changing lives."