Weâve all heard it. Whether it was over the radio, on Spotify, or looping on TikTok, Miley Cyrusâs song âFlowersâ has been stuck in everyoneâs head since it dropped this year. Miley is well known for standing up for herself and advocating for what is right, but sheâs not the only one. Are you ready for the ââFlowersâ Remix: Teacher Editionâ?
This song has become a background track for TikTok teachers who are starting to ask some hard questions regarding the reality of teaching in 2023. One came from a former teacher named Shannon Speir, who now works as a business mentor.
Check out Shannonâs take on ââFlowersâ Remix: Teacher Editionâ:
@theshannonspeir I mean⊠whereâs the lie? #formerteacherthankgod #exteacherlife #formerteachersontiktok
Shannon echoed Mileyâs sentiment when sharing some of the things that teachers are offered as rewards or supports. Admin are not supporting our teachersâ and studentsâ core needs.
Admin: âWe appreciate you so much! Hereâs a cupcake!â
The number of cupcakes that a teacher is offered a year takes the cake! Between student birthdays, classroom parties, and the occasional treat from the administration, itâs safe to say we are cupcaked out. Teachers want behavior support for their students so that each student can get the individualized attention they need.Â
Admin: âTest scores were the highest theyâve ever been! Hereâs a pizza party!â
Yes, test scores arenât EVERYTHING, but we work really dang hard to prepare our students for everything and anything. Itâs time for a changeâteachers deserve a salary increase that reflects the true value of their contributions to society.
Admin: âGuess what! You donât have to pay to wear jeans on Friday anymore! But only on Fridays.â
What exactly is my jean-wearing funding anyway? Great questionâIâm glad you asked. Most teachers arenât even sure. If we do know, itâs typically âOh, itâs for the kids.â Dang them with that hook, line, and sinker ⊠weâd do just about anything for our kids.
Yes, jeans are a perfectly acceptable pants choice for teachers without threatening our professional skills. However, enough with the smoke and mirrors; we just want our contract hours (and lunch break) to be honored just like any other job in the world.
Admin: âListen, there is no more room in the budget for subs this year. So, you canât take any PTO.â
Yeah. I will let that one simmer for a moment. âŠ
Unfortunately, budget cuts and a lack of substitute teachers can prevent teachers from taking their sick days or paid time off (PTO). Therefore, schools may need to look into alternative solutions, such as hiring temporary or part-time teachers.Â
Because as Shannon stated, âBye Feliciaâ is exactly what many teachers are doing and will continue to do if there arenât systematic shifts in the educational system.
Shannon breathes life into some of the aspects that have just become expected and accepted by teachers in the educational field while also shining a light on these all-too-frequent comments for those outside of education.Â
If youâre a charter school teacher or just want to see another TikTok teacherâs remix of âFlowers,â check out April from koolest.teacher as she shares her experiences.