“If a doctor, lawyer, or dentist had (many) people in (the) office at one time, all of whom had different needs, and some of whom didn’t want to be there and were causing trouble, and the doctors, lawyers, or dentists, without assistance, had to treat them all with professional excellence for nine months, then (they) might have some conception of the classroom teacher’s job.” — Donald D. Quinn

That’s a great quote, isn’t it? Now, picture 70 or more kids sitting on a bus, many of them just ready to cut loose because they’ve been in class all day, and you can appreciate what a bus driver does. Not only do the drivers have to look down the road to make sure everyone on board is safe, but they better check the rearview mirror to make sure kids are behaving, too.

Or, how about the people in school kitchens or cafeterias? We feed more people a day in our schools than many restaurants serve all week. And, we make sure the customers sit and eat in a civilized manner, without drama or emotions getting them into trouble.

Office staff members keep it all going, too. They get important messages out to students and staff. They make sure necessary reports get submitted on time and they are the first ones people see or talk to when they get in touch with a school. Picture the receptionist in that legal or medical office having 400 patients to keep track of, plus many parents, and you get some idea how hectic their jobs can be.

Those 400 plus “patients” or “clients” have one person to make sure all goes well for them on a daily basis, and that’s the building principal and in some cases, the assistant principal. When administrators come back to the buildings or stay late for evening or weekend events, they still are responsible.

The vast majority of school workers like their jobs. I’m sure the same can be said for dentists, doctors and lawyers. One thing they all have in common is that they very likely had a great teacher somewhere along the line who motivated and cared about them.

If you know people like that who work in schools and are at the top of your appreciation list, take time to thank them.

 

John Jarpe is the superintendent of Brandywine Community Schools. He can be reached at (269) 684- 7150.