A stirring video parody that shows why anyone would ever want to become a teacher.
More than a little like going to war. And just as important.
As four people suit up and get ready to head out, it's obvious they're on a mission.
This video from TakePart is a lot like one of those pulse-pounding military recruiting commercials. Y'know, the kind that call people to an exciting life of danger, difficulty, and in the end, sweet victory. Hmmm, that does kinda sound like teaching.
The music swells. Anticipation builds.
The four begin the day with a few moments to reflect and time for steeling themselves in the face of the daunting task ahead.
They're ready.
A waving stars and stripes shows us they're doing this for the entire nation.
They each travel in their own way: by skateboard, by train, by car, by motorcycle.
At last, they arrive at their destination.
It's a large building. The four people climb the steps and go inside.
It's time to lock arms in solidarity and look knowingly into each others' eyes. Then they separate, each one to his or her part of the operation. Everyone has a vital role to play.
A bell rings.
They stride forward together like the everyday warriors they are.
They're teachers.
It's such a difficult and important job, shaping the minds and ambitions of the next generation. It's also an underpaid job, given the training and dedication it requires. The average public school teacher's salary is $56,643 in the U.S. — not to mention how frequently teachers wind up buying classroom supplies on their own dime in order to do the job the way they know it must be done.
Why do they bother?
They know it's the chance to make a real difference.