After being interviewed by the school
administration, the prospective teacher said:
'Let me see if I've got
this right.
'You want me to go into that room with all those kids,
correct their disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse, monitor
their dress habits, censor their T-shirt messages, and instill in them a love
for learning.
'You want me to check their backpacks for weapons, wage
war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases, and raise their sense of self
esteem and personal pride.
'You want me to teach them patriotism and
good citizenship, sportsmanship and fair play, and how to register to vote,
balance a checkbook, and apply for a job.
'You want me to check their
heads for lice, recognize signs of antisocial behavior, and make sure that
they all pass the final exams.
'You also want me to provide them with
an equal education regardless of their handicaps, and communicate regularly
with their parents in English, Spanish or any other language, by letter,
telephone, newsletter, and report card.
'You want me to do all this
with a piece of chalk, a blackboard, a bulletin board, a few books, a big
smile, and a starting salary that qualifies me for food stamps.
'You
want me to do all this, and then you tell me......
I CAN'T
PRAY?'