By now you've most likely heard about or seen the video of Matt Damon speaking out on behalf of teachers at the Save Our Schools rally in Washington, D.C. It was a nice speech where he really seemed to speak from his heart. He shared that the biggest parts of who he is today, are not those that can be measured on a test. As you can imagine, he drew lots of applause from the crowd on that comment.
Most newsworthy though were his comments to a reporter and her cameraman about their assertions about why teachers don't work hard enough. Personally, I think it's been overplayed and it's been bothering me a bit as I question why this is making the news in such a big way.
First off, I have nothing against Matt Damon. I think he's a smart guy and I've enjoyed his movies. I like that his mom is an educator and that he is speaking up on behalf of educators. We definitely need more of that. What bothers me is that he was rude to the reporter and her cameraman when they were trying to engage him in a conversation. A simple question about job security functioning as a motivating factor for hard work, is not a bad question. Is it? I mean, I think that question deserves some real attention. In all sectors of society, aren't there people with no (or less) incentive to work hard because their benefits come regardless? Why should teachers be any different? Are we talking about all teachers? Are we saying this is the way to "fix the system?" Maybe it's not about salary but about testing. If teachers teach because we're passionate about it, then why is salary such an issue? These are conversations that need to be encouraged.
But it's a little muddy now because Matt was rude. And we applauded.
So, here he had the spotlight and an opportunity to say something that could really make a difference for so many people, and instead he says to the cameraman, "Maybe you're a Sh**y cameraman!"
I think one of the reason educators have been holding tightly to this Matt Damon thing is because of that feeling of helplessness. Will THIS will be the moment that people will really listen? I mean, because Matt Damon said it so, uh... eloquently?
Sorry, but I think he blew it and by holding him up in high esteem, we are not doing ourselves any favors.
Damon's speech was OK but I know so many educators who could have totally blown him out of the water. So many who could deliver a speech where the content and delivery would have people feeling truly empowered. Of course, they aren't Hollywood superstars so they're not likely to get the stage time that Damon so easily gets, but the folks at Education Nation are holding an essay contest and I think this gives teachers a great opportunity to have their voices heard.
Enter the essay contest and if you win, they will fly you out to NYC in September to attend the Teacher Town Hall (PDF).
The topic for the 800-word essay is:
What are the biggest challenges you face in your job, and how do you measure your own success on a daily basis?
They also promise to publish the winning essays on their website. If you share your entry with me, I will consider it for publication here (and on my personal blog). If you're interested in having me publish your essay, please send it to me via email at lee.kolbert at gmail.com
Do you have something to say? Why not give it a shot? I know we can do better than Matt Damon.
Follow Lee Kolbert on Twitter: www.twitter.com/teachakidd
P.S. If you should ever read through these posts, Mr. Damon, please consider passing this link pertaining to Congo along to Mr. Affleck!
http://missingmistersmith.blogspot.com/2011/08/paging-ben-affleck-working-villages.html
"A simple question about job security functioning as a motivating factor for hard work"
..may well be interpreted as, at least, a disrespectful questioning of the motives of a multi-millionaire, who quite obviously went out of his way to support his mom, like any good lad should..
..How could a hockeymom not see this...?
I don't ask for more money. I love my students and my students love learning. I wish I had more school days to work. I don't belong to a union. I don't know what more I can do to make things better. But why do I hear this constant complaining about us? When students fail, why is it automatically our fault? Why wouldn't anybody urge students and parents to take some responsibility? So yes, I applauded Matt Damon. Because for ONCE, someone who has a national podium finally told the other side of the story. You also have a national podium too, and unfortunately, what I saw was another potshot at teachers. This opinion pool against teachers is getting really crowded. When there's so much complaining in our society against teachers, don't be surprised that kids catch on. Do you suppose kids would love school in this kind of anti-teacher atmosphere?
The reporter was trying to make her own story -- thats not journalism, thats Oprahism that we all accept as journalism now that we are all too stupid to know any better. You accept it when its on your side and abhor it when its on the other side.
I even subbed for a bit -- and you could tell who the bad teachers were. Same school, same kids, you go in one class the kids come in ready to learn, you go in another and they are ready to swing from the ceiling.
What business was it of the journalist to ask him about pay for performance? They were trying to put him on the spot. Can we do better? Yes, if it comes to discussing the business of education. I just hope we do as well teaching our students as he does in his acting career.
PS. I did like the way you segued into the essay contest.
The reporter's question was nothing new, was it? And, again, because of editing we don't even know the extent of the cameraman's question, nor Damon's response.
I'm interested to know how you would have liked Damon to respond to those questions.
Finally, I find it refreshing that someone with name recognition is vocally supportive of public school teachers, and able to speak on issues in which educators are entangled.
Or, you might ask yourself, how well "educators" have done in the past with "educating" the public and getting this message out?
How's that working out for you?