Teacher asks why 'broken America' keeps taking from schools without ever giving back

We all agree that a holistic educational system is critical in shaping future generations. Yet we have been struggling to establish one for years while relying heavily on teachers in the hope that they’d perform miracles. This places an immense burden on educators as they are viewed as a quick-fix “band-aid” for all societal issues. Elementary school teacher Alison Hoemon, from Iowa, penned an emotional message on Facebook, urging people not to view schools as the only solution. Her message struck a chord with many, who empathized with the Des Moines Public Schools employee for opening their eyes.

In a widely shared post, Alison shared various perspectives on how society places its problems on the shoulders of schools. In turn, school administrations expect teachers to take the lead in bearing the burden. The elementary educator referred to multiple examples of this behavior, reflecting upon the process that ultimately leads to a handful of individuals making sacrifices all the time. “Society: In one of the richest countries in the world, between 11 and 13 million children live in food-insecure homes,” she wrote.

Alison then shared how schools buckle under pressure and resort to providing welfare services. “Schools: We can help... Kids can eat breakfast and lunch at school, and in many places, teachers spend their own money on snacks. For the most needy, we send food home for dinner and weekends,” the highly recognized teacher added. She went on to point out how around four million children across the US are deprived of health insurance and access to adequate healthcare facilities.

According to Alison, in this case as well, society places the entire burden on schools and educators to come up with solutions. The experienced primary teacher then highlights how doctors these days do free physicals, eye examinations and dental treatments at schools. “In many places, school nurses will spend their own money on sanitary supplies for girls,” she added. Alison then refers to another example of society’s unrealistic expectations from educators on issues such as access to basic necessities, physical and mental abuse and working parents with very little or no time for their kids.

“Society: There are 5.5 million reports annually of physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect of minors. Schools: We can help... schools will be safe places and teachers will be safe people. We will have some counselors, but not enough... some therapists, but not enough, right in the schools,” Alison wrote. “Society: Almost 25% of US children have parents that work past school hours. Schools: We can help... we will install before- and after-school programs in thousands of schools where kids can get another meal, get help with their homework, and participate in organized activities.” The educator went on to criticize the notion that serious issues like obesity, school shootings, and the failure to contain the COVID pandemic are confined to educational institutions. She explained that schools and teachers are not responsible for, or capable of repairing a broken America.

"For decades, schools and teachers have been the band-aid on society’s failings, because we care about children.... because we know that in society’s failings, it is almost always the children that suffer the most. Schools and teachers are not responsible for, or capable of, the repair of our broken America," she wrote. "While it breaks the heart of every teacher in America to think of all of the children that they know who are not eating enough, not being well cared for, or not safe in their home, teachers will not be the lambs sent to slaughter because no one else cared enough to actually address the racism, discrimination, and inequality that is at the root of our problems, while schools and teachers were picking up all the slack and holding it all together with a band-aid that is growing very thin."

The Des Moines-based educator was praised online for criticizing those who fail to address racism, discrimination, and inequality in public discourse. Jennifer Hinrichs commented, "Excellent summary! I don’t know if I should love this post - for the thorough reality -or be upset - because that is the reality." Amanda Elgin agreed to the post saying, "Very well written and so true."