Should I Stay or Should I go Now.....

This week's blog challenge is to blog about four reasons why I stay in the rough culture of education. This is a question that students ask me all of the time. Students and even society can't fathom why anyone would want to stay in the field of education with all of the issues that arise in this profession. I hope to fully explain the reasons as to why I stay in the field of education. Enjoy!!!!

1. A true and definite calling from God. In this time of education that we live in when there is a dire shortage of teachers in the profession and every time we look up there is a call for alternative certified teachers, I stay in the profession because I believe that it is a call from God, a mandate if you will say. Don't get me wrong I have met my share of alt. certified teachers and they do well, but if your heart is not in it you will not last. I once say a book entitled Those Who Can't Teach meaning that, those who can't make it in the business sector of the world turn to teaching. I totally hate this notion that education has now! Society looks at the amount of months that we actually teach and work and the summer break (which really is not a break) we supposedly get and society tries to minimizes our profession. But, let's get this straight, there is NO OTHER PROFESSION that would exist without a teacher. Let that sink in. So, I stay in the this profession because God has called me to be here! There have been days that I have wanted to throw in the towel, but because this is a calling and not just a job I continue to fight for a fair and equitable education for all kids and hope the student's lives that I impact will pay it forward and one day come back to education and do that same. 
2. I want the students to see someone that looks like them. With there being a shortage of educators in today's profession, there is surely a shortage of African Americans in the profession. Then let's take that a step further, there is a shortage of males in the profession too. I stay, because I want every black male that I come in contact with to see that you don't have to grow up looking to be a professional athlete, music industry star, or sell drugs. I want my black males and more importantly all males to see that you can grow up be successful and give back to your community. Many times our males don't have any focus because they don't have anyone that they can relate to or turn to. It's easy to want to be someone that makes lots of money and has lots of women, but in the back of their minds these males know that it will be very hard to attain that lifestyle because not everyone can make it to that pinnacle. I want to intentionally be a role model for all males, especially black males, and let them know that there is more to life and that it's cool to be an educator. 
3. Those that have paved the way for me. There are many educators that have paved the way for me to be where I am today. My father, Walter Chandler, Mr. David Witte my high school principal, Dr. Alex Lewis my college mentor, Dr. Joan Clark college mentor. I could go on and on but you get the idea. There have been many people that have come before me that stuck with education even when times got rough they stayed because they knew there would be a David Chandler that would need someone to guide him along the way. I stay because this generation of students need guidance from someone that is passionate about education and looks at this as not just a job but a calling and a career. Our students deserve better than a person who is just in it just to draw a paycheck and supposedly get summers off. I stand on the shoulders of those that came before me and I look to one day have many of my students stand on my shoulders to train and teach the next generation of citizens. 
4. Honestly, I think I am pretty good at! This may sound arrogant, but hey if you don't have confidence in yourself who will. As a teacher I thought I was pretty good at breaking down the English language and novels so that students could understand them. Also I am pretty good at getting students to think rationally and objectively at situations that they are going through in life. Now that I have transitioned into the administration role, I think that I am now learning how to get the best out of teacher so that instruction is impacted and that students learn what is being taught. I must admit that I have a long way to go, but I must say that I think that I am pretty good at educating students and leading teachers.  

I hope this gives you some insight as to why I stay in this profession and why I hope that you, as you read this, decide to stay in education. I am not going to lie, there are days that just make you want to give up and never look back, but trust me, take a deep breath, go hope and decompress, and go back and try even harder next time. Remember, on your worst day, you are still the best thing that many of these students will ever have.