When I worked in the Title I schools, schools in poverty, the purpose, aka – truth, of teaching was crystal clear. Give them the skills to graduate, get into the college of their choice, and graduate from said college in no less than six years or live a life that was “less than” the one they could have.

I left because it is impossible for more than it is possible. Not because they can’t, but because the rules are stacked against them. While I was a part of many students success noted in thank you notes and Facebook posts, too many never made it out, in, or out again. Feeling like a fraud, I left

Now, I’m here in one of the richest county’s in the country and the purpose, truth, is much more illusive. For these students, the goal is so much more than a high school diploma, college, and college graduation. For them, success is only a GPA above 4.0, two to three sports (one for four years), two to three plus clubs (officer in at least one – again, four years), and hundreds of volunteer hours.

That might seem to make the truth of teaching easy. Expect no less than above average work indicative of successfully attending an elite school. The truth is that this path is killing them – figuratively and literally.

Currently, there is an ongoing discussion about stress and workload. The competing truths make this work impossible. Reduce the workload – they live for now. Reduce the workload – they are at a disadvantage to get into their dream school.

Every assignment becomes an existential dilemma.

“Just teach the curriculum”. They say. Oh, but there are so many ways to teach. Knowing which way is best for their dreams, their soul, their minds – Illusive.