Welcome Back, Williams
Your dreams were your ticket out...
“Teaching is an act of justice, not a search for truth.” (Bill Readings, The University in Ruins, 1997)
I learned that early—from my Dad, and also from Mr. Kotter, the teacher in the 1970s sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter. In fact, my Dad kinda looked like Mr. K back in the day…
Those of us who were lucky enough to grow up with ‘70s TV got a real lesson in humanity and justice from guys like Mr. Kotter (not to mention shows like M*A*S*H and all of Norman Lear’s work).
The plot of the show (for you young whippersnappers) is that Mr. Kotter returns to his old High School in Brooklyn to teach struggling students, because he too struggled in school. The opening credits were epic, even including shots of New Utrecht High, Kaplan’s own alma mater:
I’m sure there were a ton of cringey 1970s moments in the show, but the cast was diverse and the message was great. My parents loved the show too, and looking back, I know it had a really big impact on me. I keep that Bill Readings quote on a post-it in my office because I agree. I grew up believing that teaching—at any level—was about social, economic, and racial justice. Teaching was a job that really changed peoples lives, gave them confidence, showed them their value in the world. And it was pretty darn clear that the world (especially this country) needed more confident, educated people with solid humane values if we wanted to have any sort of equitable future.
I’m not gonna lie—I did think my dreams were my ticket out: out of the daily grind of a 9-5 job, and out of New Jersey. (Ha! Just when I thought I was out, they pulled me back in…).
I’m grateful that I managed to escape the 9-5 for a long time, not to mention the dreaded cubicle.
But those dreams have remained and they've turned around
Who'd have thought they'd lead ya
(Who'd have thought they'd lead ya)
Back here where we need ya
(Back here where we need ya)source: https://www.lyricsondemand.com/tvthemes/welcomebackkotterlyrics.html
So, yeah, it’s time to welcome myself back to K-12 in NYC!
As of September, 2023, I will be one of the Visual Arts Teachers at JHS 259, The William McKinley School here in Brooklyn, and I AM STOKED!
Over the past few years, as I’ve grieved the loss of my tenured Professorship, compounded by the loss of my dad a few years earlier, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about teaching and whether or not it’s still something I want to do. Like most veteran teachers, I’ve dealt with my fair share of burnout, especially in terms of the caretaking role that (particularly female) teachers are expected to play. But this feels right.
Here’s why:
I can walk to work.
I have a beautiful classroom with a great view, a huge supply closet big enough to serve as an office, and a supportive administration.
I’ll have a decent salary! Not quite as much as I was making in higher ed, but twice as much as I could make as an adjunct, with a guaranteed annual raise. And great benefits.
I no longer have to grade essays!!
My colleagues aren’t likely to take themselves so seriously, and they may actually know how to be kind and show some empathy.
So, for my academic readers, I beg you: DO NOT GIVE ME THE SAD EYES! The universe has handed me a job that will keep me healthier and happier, and that still allows me to be creative and to have a real impact in the world. The K-12 scene is far more collaborative than higher ed, and the benefits are better.
Ultimately, if I’ve lost anything (beyond money) in this career shift, it’s time and energy to research and write. The research was never my big focus anyway, and I hope that I’ll be able to continue writing. That remains to be seen.
I’m quite sure those kiddos will give me tons of great inspiration, and I know they’ll keep me honest and grounded. How do I know? I learned it from the Welcome Back, Kotter theme song, which ends like this:
Yeah we tease him a lot 'cause we got him on the spot, welcome back
Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back
Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back
Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back
source: https://www.lyricsondemand.com/tvthemes/welcomebackkotterlyrics.html
This is excellent news!!!
Congratulations, Maggie! Also, as a fellow high school teacher, I can assure you that teaching high school has so many benefits above and beyond higher ed. I hope you enjoy the change!