No, I Will Not Leave My Profession as An Essential Worker

Teachers are essential workers. And like all essential workers, we get treated like sh*t. But I still want to keep teaching.

I am not the only one, who has been writing about the poor state of our education system.

Some time ago, I wrote this piece

I still stand by what I wrote. The only thing that changed is my writing skill level.

The fact is that teachers get terrible treatment in our society. If you want to know how bad, Jessica Wildfire can give you a grizzly insight.

If you think that this is a uniquely American phenomenon, I can assure you, it is not. Teachers burning out from stress and running away from our schools happens everywhere. It manifests in different ways in different parts of the globe. In Brazil, for instance, many teachers work at three different schools. Just to cover their bills.

In most western countries, teachers are the scapegoats for everything. Ridiculous education reforms, for example. And poor management. You get the drift. We are always on the frontline.

And we get to pick up the pieces when our children get traumatized. For whatever reason.

The key point is, that teachers are essential workers. And like all essential workers, they are not valued. Because our overinflated capitalist system caters to rich billionaires.

Essential workers are the glue in our society

In a capitalist system, essential workers get sh*tty treatment. Whether it’s nurses, teachers, shop workers, or warehouse workers. They are essential because they act as the glue that holds society together. The pandemic made this more than clear.

They are the ones, who enabled you in that cushy home-office job. And they are the ones, that enable all those influencers. They also enable advertising executives. And Bitcoin traders.

Because when it comes down to it, someone still needs to teach your children. Someone still needs to take care of the sick and elderly. And someone still needs to provide you with the food and bring those fancy goods from Amazon to your door.

But it seems that for now, we have bet too hard on capitalism. We reached the end of the road.

I still want to teach. Because teaching gives me more than my salary.

I still have a shot at providing future generations with the skills and knowledge. Skills they need, to rise from the ashes when the time comes. And it will.

That is my contribution. Small and insignificant as it may seem to the universe. Also, spending time with students is still a great joy. Even after 16 years. 

But we should still pay our essential workers a decent salary and show them the appreciation they deserve.