After being interviewed by the school administration, the prospective
teacher said: 'Let me see if I've got this right. 'You want me to go into
that room with all those kids, correct their disruptive behavior, observe
them for signs of abuse, monitor their dress habits, censor their T-shirt
messages, and instill in them a love for learning. 'You want me to check
their backpacks for weapons, wage war on drugs and sexually transmitted
diseases, and raise their sense of self esteem and personal pride. 'You want
me to teach them patriotism and good citizenship, sportsmanship and fair
play, and how to register to vote, balance a checkbook, and apply for a job.
'You want me to check their heads for lice, recognize signs of antisocial
behavior, and make sure that they all pass the final exams.'You also want me
to provide them with an equal education regardless of their handicaps, and
communicate regularly with their parents in English, Spanish or any other
language, by letter, telephone, newsletter, and report card. 'You want me to
do all this with a piece of chalk, a blackboard, a bulletin board, a few
books, a big smile, and a starting salary that qualifies me for food stamps.
You want me to do all this, and then you tell me......I CAN'T PRAY?'
