Been Fired? Reality Therapy Is For You!
Postmortem journey of a teacher searching for answers
What do you do when your career is cut short? You pound the thunderous drumbeat advocating for the better treatment of our nation's best asset: teachers. Understanding the points of view of students, parents, administrators and teachers is paramount to revitalizing our educational system. Who better to elevate the conversation for positive change than a 46 year veteran teacher?
FIVE STEPS* OF REALITY THERAPY
My name is Paula Baack. I am a recovering educator.
1. I admit I was powerless over my fate as an educator. Tenured teachers can be fired without due cause. That is the new normal.
2. By God’s grace, I not only survived 46 years of teaching, but I loved it more each year. My passion to teach was never diminished by students. It was usually the adults who could ruin a great teaching assignment.
3. The decision to turn over days of anxiety, frustration, physical depletion, and mental deprivation in prayer to my Father in Heaven helped me stay the course.
4. I gave serious consideration and reflection to the many positions I held in the past. I embraced the embarrassing moments in front of the classroom; forgave myself for lack of knowledge sometimes exhibited in my teaching and I am still trying to overcome the guilt I feel by not having spent more time with my family.
5. I admit to some errors in judgement, lack of empathy on occasion, and just being plain stubborn. Knowing what I know now, after 46 years of teaching, I would not change one thing. I was destined for this journey. My life’s pursuit, post losing my job, is sharing the rewards and knowledge I gained from the incredible students whose orbit passed through mine.
*Adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous
Please take time to read my blogs or listen to my podcasts. Better yet, order my book and encourage a book study. American education is on a downward spiral and all of us must advocate for better practices in our public schools. Next up? The Divine Miss Kay impacted my life as an educator forever.
