Rant & Rave
Rant & Rave
WATCH OUT HAWAII, our teachers have finally figured out how powerful they really are. They shape the lives of our children, provide hope for the future. Without teachers, no one would ever be able to become anything. We wouldn't have any doctors, lawyers, or even more teachers. Strike teaches students
to value moneySo now they've decided it's time to flex their powerful muscles and demand pay raises. School has come to a screeching halt as we search for money the state doesn't have to fill the demands of our teachers.
I attend a private school that is in session in spite of the public school strike, but I still feel these events will affect me directly.
See, I would like to become a teacher. And the funny thing is, I did not choose this occupation because it pays well because I know it doesn't. How does anyone go about attaching a price to a lifetime of knowledge and valuable lessons learned anyway?
IT MAKES ME WONDER though, how many teachers out there decided to become a teacher for the money the job pays? Very few, I would imagine.
I made the choice to become a teacher because of the joy I get from working with kids, and seeing the positive effects of my influence on them. I'm hoping that there are teachers out there who entered the profession for the same reason.
Now let me ask you this. What kind of influence do you think these striking teachers will have on kids now that they have shown their willingness to throw away hours of students' valuable learning time for a few extra bucks? That money is more important than having public school seniors graduate this year after 13 years of working toward that one single day?
All I'm asking is for teachers and everyone else to take the time to think about the consequences that will come with their actions. Then, it becomes a question of what is valued more. Money or education?
Amalie McMillan is a junior at Kamehameha Schools. Rant & Rave allows those 12 to 22
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