Those Who Think They Know Everything

Most of the time, I just let people say what they want to say. Rather I agree with them or not is irrelevant. Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinions, and I guess that gives them some kind of entitlement to voice their point-of-views. It seems today that everyone has an opinion about how you should do your job, but they do not concentrate on themselves.

In education, there are teachers who know everything about human behavior and nothing about curriculum and assessment. There are some teachers who know everything about professional development, critical thinking assessment, curriculum mapping, and class implementation; but who are totally ignorant of the human condition. 

I recently had a conversation with another educator. The overall conversation was on the differences between public, and private school students. Her argument came from an opinion and observation that public school students are able to adapt in surroundings easier, than private school students. I stayed quiet. In addition to her proclaiming her expertise on education, she mentioned that public schools students have a significant advantage on being accepted to their first school of choice. Again, I stayed quiet, because that’s ultimately based on the student’s performance in the classroom. She also pointed out that teachers who are more qualified and suited to teach teenagers are teaching public school students, and not private. I smiled and started laughing.

As I was laughing, which could be have been interpreted as being disrespectful, she muttered something under her breath. Not paying attention to her mumbling, I asked her, “What the difference between the two of us as teachers?” She came back with, “My credentials are in teaching, along with two graduate degrees.” My knees were shaking (not really). I respectfully said, “Okay, well I’m about to received my graduate degree in education that focuses on educational technology, school leadership, and curriculum. So am I not a marketable teacher?” There was a blank stare in her eyes. I doubt she was falling for me.

“I don’t know if there is a difference between you, and I. I’d like to think that we became teachers, because we found a passion of helping the youth.” After my comment, she shook her head back-and-forth and said, “The only thing you have to do in a public school is just come to work, teach, and go home. And the money is better than being in a private school. Private schools give you countless jobs with little pay.”

I then knew the difference between the two of us, as teachers. After realizing that, all I said was, “Maybe that’s true. In a public school, maybe all you have to do is just show up and teach. In a private school, you’re right. There is no such thing in the private sector of having one job. And the pay, I never went into this profession for the money, so it doesn’t concern me. My reward is seeing my students walk out of their school on graduation day confidant, intelligent, and humble human beings. That’s my reward, my earning, or whatever you want to call it.” Before I ended the conversation, I told her, “Being paid more though. I guess you don’t believe that you’re marketable as an educator. If you thought that, you would negotiate your salary and the administrators would accommodate you.”

As of this June, she is no longer as teacher.