Let's Talk About Teachers

Full disclosure, I am not a parent with school-aged children, I have never been a teacher, and I don’t have an ideal solution for any of the issues teachers are currently facing. Also, the interviewee is, in fact, my husband Chris – a 3rd-grade science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teacher in HISD and educator for almost a decade within the same district. But...hey, this is my LinkedIn, and I’ll interview whomever I have in front of me!

So, if you’re interested in hearing what a teacher in HISD thinks about hot topics like the teacher shortage, feeling supported, and thoughts on protecting the kids in his class with his own life, keep scrolling...

Let’s start with this. EVERYONE has an opinion on public education in the U.S., and many others have an opinion on teaching and teachers in Texas. Some of the most memorable (and equally horrible) things I’ve heard fully grown people say right to an educator's face include things like:

Well, THAT doesn’t pay much.

Wow! You could work at a fast food restaurant for that.

Oh, so you’re just a babysitter.

And my personal favorite...Men shouldn’t teach young children. It’s weird.

Across any number of professions, I truly believe no one is told more (especially when not asked) how to “correctly” do their job than teachers and medical professionals (a topic for another time). And because of all the buzz around the teaching shortage, I decided to sit down with my husband as a writer instead of his wife and listen to his ideas and opinions on teaching in Texas. But first, I touch on a few shocking statistics to get our interview going.

The media calls this breaking news, but it may not seem so breaking to educators...

According to the Wall Street Journal, 300,000 teachers left their jobs between February 2020 and May 2022. A recent poll shows that 55% of teachers plan to leave education sooner than originally planned, up from 37% last year. And a recent survey by the Texas State Teachers Association says 70% of teachers are seriously considering quitting this year.

Without a word, Chris nodded in agreement with a look of understanding and sadness. It’s a loaded statistic, and he knows it. After letting the numbers hang in the air for a few seconds, we move forward.?

I then ask him to narrow down 3 reasons he believes teachers are quitting or retiring early. After thinking for a couple minutes, Chris said, “Number one, as in the most important, is they don't feel supported. And the support I'm referring to is from the administration and their bosses. Number two, teachers do a lot more work than the 8am to 3pm or 7am to 2pm...whatever the regular schedule is for the school. I get to work an hour and a half early and stay late either because I'm doing a club, which lasts over an hour, or tutoring. So my day is definitely longer than 2pm. And the last reason I would say is covid. Many teachers are older and worried about the virus, and how it would affect their immune systems and overall health.”

And he isn’t wrong! A National Education Association survey says 55% of public education teachers, staff, and administrators consider leaving because of the “crushing additional stresses brought on by the pandemic.”

We then take a turn in our discussion, landing on a sensitive subject. I asked Chris to respond to the following:

According to a poll by NPR, gun rights are largely advocated for in the Lone Star State, with 70% of Republicans saying it's more important to protect gun rights than control gun violence.

Also, according to data compiled by the Center for Homeland Defense and Security at the Naval Postgraduate School, Texas has seen the most school shootings since 2012. Texas is followed by California, Illinois, Florida, and Pennsylvania – totaling 540 incidents and resulting in at least one victim killed or wounded.

I asked Chris his thoughts on how gun violence is handled in the U.S., especially when aimed at young children.

With a firm look, Chris said, “I think both on a state and national level, it's not being taken seriously. I don't want to make it a Democrat or Republican issue, but I think there must be some restrictions.”

When asked whether Chris talks to other teachers about his plans in the event of a school shooting, he said, “Yeah, both in formal meetings and informal. Mostly it's fear-based...We have a handbook, and our principal also talks to the parents at the beginning of the year about the school safety plan. Constant updates on security are given via whatever (web) application we are using.”

Now, you may be thinking...Who cares what teachers have to say about gun violence??

But there are more complex emotions at play here. For example, when asked about the 3 things Chris wishes he could tell all parents about teaching their children, he paused before speaking to return to the subject of gun violence.?

He said, “The first thing I would tell them is I will ensure their child's safety as best I can. A lot of parents get nervous, especially with a male teacher. At first, just because I'm a big guy...They don't know me. The mystery factor of not knowing me definitely plays a role. Still, I would say ensuring their safety...that the parents know

I would take a bullet for their child.

I don't speak for all teachers when I say this, but I would put my life on the line for their children. So I just want them to know that their child’s safety is my number one concern...I guess that's a better way to say it. I can't prove I can ensure their safety, but I want to. That's my goal.”

We shift into process-focused matters as he continues, “The second thing [I want parents to know] is that since my focus is math and science, I am going to teach in a way that I believe is best, and that may not always be in line with the curriculum. But as I've been teaching, I've been exposed to many different curricula. And I think that holding myself to one would be limiting...I'm a unique teacher, and I teach in a very unique way.”

Chris continues, “And the third thing I would say that I want all the parents to know is...Their role is vital. I would say that we do 50% of the work in the classroom, and then the parents do 50% at home as far as making sure that the student's learning sticks...making sure that they're reading every day. That's one of the homework methods that I used to assign when I was self-contained [teaching all subjects]. But the teacher I work with now who teaches reading also has the same expectation for the kids to read for at least 20 minutes a day.”

Chris explains, “I hear things like, ‘Well, Mr. Banner, I have soccer and basketball, and you're giving me 20 minutes of reading, and now you're giving me a math worksheet.’ Okay, do it all in one day, and turn it in at the end of the week...giving them different options for that, I think, really helps. But if they [parents] do not play their role, that child's education will ultimately suffer.”

When it comes to helpful tips for new teachers, Chris has strong feelings about working with others who are passionate versus those who may bright a negative energy into the workplace.

Chris said,

My advice is that if you are not passionate about teaching, get out now because this is not a job for everyone.

He continues, "While there's a shortage...I am a passionate teacher, and I would rather work with someone passionate than someone who's not. But it's too often that people get into teaching for the wrong reasons. A few years ago, one teacher...it was her first year teaching, she worked as a waitress after work, and burned out. Three or four years later...she's quitting.”

As we move on to a brighter subject matter, I notice a shift in Chris's expression as it changes from familiar disappointment to genuine excitement. I want to know from his perspective how important it is to teach math, science, and technology to today's kids versus 40 years ago.

Chris laughs at my question, nodding towards the boxes and mini robot parts currently taking over our small dining room table.

Sitting up much straighter with a smile, Chris said, “Today's kids will have more jobs that are not yet created or even a thing right now than any other generation. I think that with technology and the internet...everything is just going so fast! There will be many new jobs, so teaching STEM will mean much more than it already does. Teaching STEM is kind of like that connection to all of those things because all the kids, they'll say, ‘Oh, I worked with Scratch or I worked with Lego coding or Vex coding, but what they really got was the experience in a field that's just going to keep growing. So, it's a real-world experience in a classroom, and I think that they know it's great, and their parents know it's great. And it helps me definitely stay ahead of the curve as well.”

I decided to throw in research related to gender inequality within STEM-related jobs by offering the following information:?

Allison Master, an Assistant Professor of Psychological Health and Learning Sciences at the University of Houston, said, “Gender interest stereotypes that ‘STEM is for boys’ begins in grade school. And by the time they reach high school, many girls have made their decision not to pursue degrees in computer science and engineering because they feel they don't belong. In fact, kids as young as 6 believe that girls aren't interested in computer science and engineering.”

I continued to ask Chris his thoughts on girls as young as 6 believing in stereotypes that say they aren't better than boys in math and science. He said, “I am not surprised by that. In my years of teaching, I've heard that kind of dialogue in the classroom amongst the kids. I've always interjected those who say ‘boys only’ in my Robotics Club...I heard [it] once when I told the kids to get into groups of 3. I sat the kids down and talked to them about how that was not allowed. Because girls can do the same things that boys can. And if a girl wants to work with her friend, who is a boy, that should be allowed. So knowing or hearing that it's starting at 6 is not surprising. It's very disappointing. As a 3rd-grade math and science teacher, it's also why I always let my entire class know I have a [robotics] club. And I always make sure girls know they are welcome to join.”

Pressing on with the subject matter, I asked Chris what he wishes he could say to any young woman thinking about expressing an interest in STEM classes or clubs. He said, “I would say to give it a try no matter the situation. I would say however long the club or the camp is being offered for, give it a try because you never know. You might like it! There is that stigma, so inspiring young women to enter STEM is definitely important, and I advocate for that.”

I offered more information by saying the following:

In a report called Why So Few by the American Association of University Women, women make up only 28% of the workforce in science, technology, engineering, and math. Furthermore, Black and Hispanic students, both female and male, are less likely to have access to advanced courses in math and science in high school.

When asked if he had any thoughts about this information, Chris said, “I do. I had the privilege of leading a camp, a STEM camp, and it's free to everyone. So I'm working with privileged and underprivileged children, and it's just so rewarding to be able to do that and know that those kids don't have to pay a dollar for these experiences. These robotics kits sometimes cost upwards of $500 [each]. And money has been allocated for hundreds of kids to get that experience for free this summer.”

Reflecting on his personal life with a thoughtful smile, Chris continues, “My little sister Pamela Banner is an engineer, and she is definitely the smartest person I know.

I'm inspired by her every day.

She doesn't know many women, or she doesn't have many women like her in the workplace...I know that she's in a male-dominated field, but she excels. So it just goes to show that gender bias shouldn't exist, or race bias or anything because she's also Hispanic.”

Wrapping up our discussion, I asked Chris what he would change about teaching if he could only choose one thing. He said, “I would change the STAAR [test] because I don't believe in standardized testing...It puts unnecessary stress on kids starting in 3rd grade, and covid is already creating stress for them...It's unnecessary, especially right now. And in general...I don't think they [STAAR tests] breed success. They breed comparisons, and comparison is the thief of joy, in my opinion. Eliminating STAAR testing would be a huge stress relief for teachers, families, and students.”

?? ?? *phew*

Alright, LinkedIn, are you still with me? What do you think?

Leave your comments below and let’s talk about teachers.