Having Faith, Hope, and Thanksgiving in the Midst of Realism on a Suffering World
Presented by Niánn Emerson Chase
to members and guests of Global Community Communications Church at a World-Wide Sunday Service
Last Sunday I had a conversation with a man and woman who have spent decades in the public school system, giving of their love, energy, and talents. As I conversed with them and listened to their expressions of disappointment, disenchantment, and exhaustion, I was reminded of my own experiences as a highly motivated teacher who gave my creativity and inspiration to the students I loved.
When I graduated from college and returned to the San Carlos Apache reservation to teach, I was full of enthusiasm, hope, and expectations. Like this couple I retained my idealism and optimism for many years, thinking that great changes could happen for my students as long as I inspired them with my great teaching and encouraged them with my genuine love for them. Like this couple I grew exhausted and frustrated.
A friend of mine who just retired after a thirty-year career as a history teacher recently expressed to me his extreme disappointment in the public school system. Though he enjoyed the interaction with his students and was considered one of the more outstanding teachers in the school, he chose to take early retirement because he could no longer work in a system that he believes has become corrupt and defunct.
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