Thoughts on the Teacher Who Put Her Son in the Trunk of Her Car

      Friday, the news broke that a teacher was arrested for putting her son in the trunk of her car to take him to a Covid testing site.  She says that she did it to keep him from infecting her, according to the warrant.  He is a thirteen year-old male. His mom is facing child endangerment charges.

     Here's what I think. These are just my thoughts...

     School districts across the U.S. are obtaining grants that offer teachers incentives for being in attendance. This is because of the catastrophic shortage of teachers and Guest Teachers (substitutes), nationwide. Our district has such a plan. Our is based on being in attendance ninety percent of the days that school is in session.

     So, out of one side of their mouths, school districts are touting self-care, while out of the other side they are saying we need you to be at school.  It is a no-win situation for those of us working in the trenches.

     Back to the mom that was arrested.  I am sure she is under the same pressures.  While I don't condone putting any child in the trunk of a car, this teacher-mom was probably pushed to the point of not knowing what her options were.  How could she get her son tested without exposing herself or any of her other loved ones?  

     There are home testing kits out there, but the Federal Trade Commission warns us of their validity.  She was doing what she thought was right, getting her son tested. Did she need to put him in the trunk? Undoubtedly not! This makes me think of the adage, "Desperate times call for desperate measures."  I don't know her circumstances. In my heart, I believe she was trying to do the right thing: Get her son tested, while trying not to catch the virus herself, and lose time off from work, knowing how desperate the situation is with the public schools. I believe she was at a crossroads.

     Bottom line? It's a shame that the actions of some push well-meaning people to do things that they wouldn't ordinarily do.  Do I think this woman goes around with her kids in her trunk? Of course not!  Do I think that her actions were driven by the teacher shortage and job-security.? Absolutely! It will be interesting to see how this plays out...

Mindset

       I will be the first to admit that the past several months have been rough. Our house was on the market. I accepted a teaching position two and a half hours from home, and took up residence in our daughter and son-in-law's basement. (They hadn't even been married a year, yet.). Learning a new school system and curriculum as I taught (I was hired the day before school started!) Meeting new colleagues. Wrecking my car the day I moved in to our temporary living situation (Not my fault. Some jerk-face ran a stop sign.). To say the last six months have been stressful would be an understatement!!

     Through it all, prayers have been answered, on God's time.  The house in Hutch sold. We found a duplex that will work, temporarily, at least through the end of the school year, so I am no longer living in our daughter and son-in-law's basement. Insurance totaled my beloved Jeep Wrangler, but we were able to replace it with another vehicle. I am finding my way through all of the ins and outs of a new school system, district, building.

     As I've had time to reflect during Christmas Break, I have come to this conclusion: It's all about your mindset.  Sometimes God doesn't answer prayers in the way that you think He should, but that doesn't mean your prayers aren't answered.  I am blessed to work with some truly amazing and compassionate educators!  We team-plan our lessons for each week. I believe that we're all on the same page about the needs of our students and their families.

     I let all the stressors get in the way of what truly matters, professionally. That is, and will always be, the kids. They are why I do what I do each an every day.  I will admit that I got bogged down in the district's expectations, and while trying to meet their demands, I lost sight of the kids. But no more!  Even if it's not on the lesson plan, I will do what's best for my students and their families. If that means a short detour for the day, then so be it! If it weren't for these sweet, innocent children, none of would have a job! I let that get lost.

     There are a couple of sayings that floats through the education world: "Every child was put in your classroom for a reason."  and "Close the door and do what it best for your kids."  Moving forward, that's going to be what I do and back to how I teach. Bring on 2022!