Glorified Babysitters?

It has been said, “We are just glorified babysitters,” in reference to being a teacher. This statement has been used to describe the state of education and quite honestly, it feels to be true at times. But there is one teacher specifically who has defied the foundation of this statement.

Anita Jarrett possesses a genuine love and dedication for her students. One of the first to arrive to school, and one of the last to leave, she does everything with the intention to put the kids first in every decision. She spent her planning, evenings, and many of her weekends giving to her students.

One such occasion took place while I was working a ballgame for the middle school. Normally Ms. Jarrett would be behind the counter for concessions, or the table for the gate. But this particular night, she was there for one reason; to cheer on “her kids.” Once finished with the final tally of the tickets and counting of money, I joined in the festivities of the game, which if I remember correctly, was the last one of the season.

Ms. Jarrett did not just sit and watch the game. Not this teacher mom. She cheered for each ball, and point made. At the last minute of the last quarter, we were winning. The greatest cheering, however, did not come at the buzzers sound of the final shot as time ran out on the clock. Instead, the greatest cheer came when the coach put in a benched player who had not played one minute in the game all season.

This mother hen did not cheer. No, this mother hen jumped up screaming, and clapping, with tears in her eyes for “her kid.” It was not a sit and clap kind of moment. I had no idea what had just transpired in this moment until she explained to me through tears, that the coach had just played “her” boy. This teacher was not just cheering for a win, but for a student she loved and claimed as her own.

Yet another example of this was stumbling upon this devoted educator at Walmart. She caught me up on her adventures of learning and life lessons with her new class and I my home projects. Ms. Jarrett the middle school veteran teacher was now the kindergarten teacher. After we exchanged stories, she told me she was buying shoes for one of “her kids.” I assumed they were for one of her grandchildren. However, when I asked, she informed me that one of her students needed them because his looked rough.

For those of you who don’t know Anita Jarrett, this was not out of the ordinary for her.

From organizing a spirit bus for the basketball tournament, to supporting her local school at board meetings, going to her kids’ games, and countless fundraisers, Anita gave of her time and money, regularly.

Now a kindergarten teacher, it was no surprise that she was doing the same for “her” kindergarten babies.

While it’s true, we really have seen countless changes in education, one thing is certain, Ms. Jarrett was no babysitter no matter how glorified the title. These were “her kids” through and through. It was not something a person can manufacture, but something that comes from within.

After this chance meeting, I began to think of all the money spent over the years out of just THIS teacher’s paycheck alone. Then I began to think of ALL the money that teachers have spent on “their kids” through the entirety of a teaching career. This would be quite a figure, I’m sure. Not to mention the hours of personal time given on evenings and weekends.

Teachers, you don’t have to love your kids…. According to your contractual obligation, you don’t have to care for your kids to this degree, but yet you do. You’re not obligated to spend your own money to buy clothes, shoes, or food out of your own pocket for those kids who don’t belong to you, but so many of you do.

You see, dear teacher, dear principal, you have been called to our kids. It’s more than a job that you complete. It’s more than a paycheck. It’s more than a career. It’s a life, a future, a culture that you change by your love and sacrifice each day.

It’s not up to me to say “Well done, good and faithful servant” but just to say that you answer to a higher calling than the board of education can give you or any contract you sign. Only God can say whether you have completed your calling well and completed your race to the best of your ability. When it’s all said and done, we answer to God. Just because the time we give or the money we spend is not recognized does not mean that it is wasted. To every educator loving “your” students outside the borders of your contract, you are no babysitter.

And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ Matthew 25:40 (NKJV) New King James Version

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