I had a run in with "big business" on Saturday. Out of the goodness of my heart, I agreed to volunteer at a booth at the Notre Dame game. Part of the proceeds went to a Children's Hospital. When I reported for training, which included running a cash register and figuring out fractions of weight, I indicated that I would feel more comfortable in a support role, perhaps behind the scenes. The trainer, who was also the owner, immediatley replied: "That's great. The world needs more janitors, cotton pickers, busboys and sanitation workers." Seriously? I think I mentioned in there somewhere too that I was a teacher. Now I get that he has a business to run, and its all about the bottom line. But to me, the bottom line are people. If I felt marginalized, I wonder how some of his employees feel? Maybe I should have asked him if he and RIck Snyder were friends? There were other back handed remarks during the course of the afternoon. I wish I had recorded them. In any case, I will not venture that way again. I'll continue to work "behind the scenes" and produce compassionate (hopefully well read) caring young people who will know how to be successful without being judgemental, arrogant and narrow. I supose that is why I will never be rich. My riches are measured in people. Not dollar signs. Incidents like this one remind me over and over again why I am a teacher.
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Julie HerwickI love my job. Teaching is an art and I enjoy learning and growing along with my students. I can't think of any thing else I'd rather do. Archives
August 2014
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