I am a teacher.
And I am tired.

Tired of politics, administration’s scare tactics, frustrated colleagues, mandated state tests that have no real meaning in your child’s future endeavors, (unless there is a job that pays you to fill in bubbles on scantron sheets all day).

Semiconscious students, media hype and especially,
I am tired of parents that expect me to resolve their children’s problems.
I simply do not have the answers.
I have tried everything.
I have hugged you child, listened to your child,
Bought supplies for your child and reminded your child
Of the importance of getting an education as well as the importance of caring about life
with heart and genuineness.

I have read theories on how to teach at-risk students
(this includes the entire student population, because “at-risk” is really defined as
children growing up without parental supervision).

I have read theories on how to teach pregnant students, non- English speaking students,
Students on drugs, abused students, high-energy students, gifted students, religious students, underachieving students, shy students, culturally different students, special needs students, female and male students, and gay students.
I have attended conferences for ideas on how to teach hands-on activities,
higher level thinking skills, cooperative learning groups and numerous other strategies.

I have lain awake at night rolling over and over in my head solutions, and lamentations.

I have cried tears, trying to find the answers for motivating your child to have success in my classroom.

I am a Teacher.
I am not a doctor,
I am not a psychiatrist,
I am not a minister,
I am not a Harvard graduate and I am not a former drug attic, (or anything that provides insight into your child’s situation).
I am not God, and I am, emphatically and unequivocally, not your child’s parent.
I am a Teacher.

I am tired of politicians blaming policy-makers, state governments blaming localities, administration blaming the the school board, school board blaming the state budget, and everyone blaming teachers.

I have to tell you,
the students who have success in my classroom are the ones whose parents I have met at every open house and on every parent/teacher conference day.
So please, do not tell me that educators’ attending more classes at their own expense is the solution.

The solution, the power and the state of your child’s welfare lie in your hands.
Not mine, but the hands of you, the parent.

And if you do not want to lose another educator who cares, sweats, who encourages your child, then I suggest you get to your child’s school and make education matter in your child’s life.

Because I am a teacher.

“That will lose their job or has lost their job at M.U.S.D. While others padded their pockets”.

So I added the following message to my cell phone. “Hi you’ve reached my cell phone. If this is a can we, how come or what if question please refer to your blue prints. For anything else please leave a message.” Pretty soon the contractors stopped asking and started taking responsibility for their own work.

I think Madera Unified School District, the students and the parents could benefit from a similar message on the District phone system. “Hello, you’ve reached the Madera Unified School District. Please listen to all the options before making a selection. To lie about why your child is absent please press 1. To make excesses why your child did not do his homework, please press 2. To complain about the teachers please press 3. To swear at a teacher please press 4. To ask why you didn’t get information that has already been mailed to you, twice, sent home with your child and included in the
news letter please press 5. If you expect the school to raise your child please press 6. To request another teacher for your child please press 7. To complain about the free bus transportation, the free breakfast or the free lunches please press 8. If you would like this message in a language other than English, please move to that country. If you realize that this is the real world and you and your child must be accountable for their own behavior, class work and home work please have a very pleasant day.

Don Williams

While Haiti is suffering from starvation, disease and lack of every day sustenance, in a disorganized society mismanaged by devious and exploitation oriented leadership, these point men should be grateful that there are people in the World of America who invested not just a few dollar donation but their time and dedication to show up on ground zero and embrace the impoverished society to help forsaken children to survive, believing in a better future.

It is an utter shame that the dishonest leadership – we know that they are, decidedly try to profit from drummed up charges, charges which may be valid under usual circumstances, but not applicable in an emergency situation that we
are going through now – and they start acting like dogs, biting the hand that feeds them.

The World should unite and pull out from Haiti and set up all help organizations next door in Dominican Republic, – a more civilized country- until the disreputable brotherhood of leaders in Haiti show some gratitude and formal dedication to preserve the safety and mobility of men, women of goodwill who are tirelessly work for their country, attempting to bring hope and material help for the suffering!

Their devious action is not only an insult to the volunteers but is a slap on Americas face, indirectly accusing our culture to be involved in child trafficking, slavery and at the same time a profound insult to the Christian community implying that Christians are slave traders in the international market. These big-wig Haitians confusing Christianity with voodoo practices.

God bless the children and the volunteers, and shame on the Haiti administration of impropriety. Pull out all the agencies and move next door until the leadership apologizes and ensures the security of all helpers and dismiss the
falsely applied charges against all those who were so savagely targeted with demeaning accusations!