Hey Teach...

So, I've been working a ton this year and am realizing more and more that teaching is more than just math, language arts, science, etc. It's consumes you emotionally and you can't help but become attached to kids you see all the time.

Without mentioning any names or schools, I am going to share a situation with you. A little girl that I have known for quite some time confided in me and shared some disturbing information about her mom's boyfriend. He was charged with sexually abusing her last year and is now back in the home. The details that were shared were awful and I will never forget it. I reported the incident to the principal and she called it into Social Services. A social worker showed up a few days later after I had spoken to her and basically nothing happened. The little girl said that everything that she said was a lie (to her mom) and that now that she was in big trouble. She later admitted to lying to her mom about everything because she didn't want to make her mad again. This poor kid has to walk around lying for her mom. The worst part is that the social worker believed that she was lying and has basically left it at that.

I'm not only upset that this has happened, but really disgusted that there is nothing else that will be done. There needs to be a voice for these kids who are stuck in these situations. I've been thinking about getting into some child's advocacy organization or group. I just feel like I could be doing so much for than being a substitute teacher. I mean, you barely get any credit for being a "substitute" even if I am a certified teacher. We still get treated like we have no idea what we're doing. It's very frustrating and demeaning at times. Working with kids gets so personal and it's so emotionally draining. I know that my future is working with kids, but I just don't know exactly in what context...