While growing up, I always dreaded going back to school. It took me weeks to get back into the swing of things: homework, early mornings, the evil lunch lady in the cafeteria, and my ever-failing attempt to become teacher’s pet. I was never the cool kid or the smart kid, and I wasn’t really good at anything except talking…a lot. I had passing grades and was eager to learn, but providing some sort of entertainment for the class was always on the top of my school agenda. I found comfort in the approval of my teachers (even when I was in trouble,) and I sought their knowledge and wisdom. In some ways, I preferred them over the students around me. I had amazing teachers.
Michael Hernandez is an amazing teacher. He has spent the past two years teaching low income students in Orange County. Many of his first graders come from broken families and are learning English for the first time. He has patience, discipline, and a willingness to make a difference in their lives. Unfortunately, on March 15, 2009, over 20,000 teachers, including Mr. Hernandez, were given a pink slip and were told that their jobs may not be available in the fall.
California’s budget crisis has caused the state to suffer the loss of 18 billion (yes, BILLION!) dollars from its education system. The cuts have taken away art and music programs, summer schools, and many extra-curricular activities. Many students will be returning to school this week to find that their favorite teachers didn’t come back. Now teachers like Mr. Hernandez dread NOT going to school in the morning. Like so many other people in his position, he wakes up every morning and gets dressed for a job he isn’t certain if he has, hoping that he will get the call to substitute for another teacher that day, and wondering how his now meager paycheck will cover his expenses. But for amazing teachers, changing kids’ lives -even as a substitute teacher- is still worth it.
| Posted by Josh on September 3, 2009 @ 8:04 AM |  |
It`s cruel and hard to see. Congratulation for your interview, really. It`s so important for see.
Comment by Tina — September 8, 2009 @ 8:26 PM
Hi, Josh: I wanna say you that i loved your interview with Mr. Hernández. Wow!, it was intense and so different to others interviews. I can`t to dissemble my interest for it (and for you; it`s obvious: i´m falling in love with you, and more in this mounths) I know it`s your best part like hoster, or my favourite version of Josh like hoster. This situation mobilize all into me, specially cause in my country it`s 1 thing of all days, and itsn`t the most gruesome, the horrible to think is many people are living this situation like some common.
Sincerely, i haven`t one political ideology, and i cant to say:”i hate this system” cause i live in this system everyday and it give me some posibilites (like meet you), but i see some peoples who have nothing for the life. I imagine how hard this interview was for you: cause you`re front one person who say you:”i´ll without my work and without money” and you cant change this situation.
When i saw it, i was feeling blue cause i thonk that my sadness is so superfuous respect the situation of Mr. Hernández. Well, my life isn´t perfect and i have nothing resolute but when you´ve 1 hard testimony like this nothing is more important.
The most troublesome for me is read some articles in defence of the liberalism like the Openhaimer`articles and think in the diferents way of injusticie. In B. A is so common to see some childrens who haven´t nothing:they`re living on the streets and if you walk around them you can see so near the most wealthy persons: it`s a violent contrast and in the school: if you`ve money; you study.
I´m so pleased to see you in this way. I think that interview like this would be enrich you so much. You show me your humanity again, it`s fantastic cause other peoples, in your “Hollywood world” never see it! THANX for your special way. I share with you 1 thing: 1 person can make the diference.You made the diference!!
All my support for Mr. Hernández and for all Mr. Hernandéz of the world who fight for one best future for all.
Love you so from Argentina: Dheniss.
Comment by Dheniss — September 12, 2009 @ 5:30 PM
It`s very difficult to ignore cause it`s a hard reality in our world. Joshitas love it so much!!!!
Comment by kary — September 14, 2009 @ 7:40 PM
This breaks my heart to see that GOOD teachers are being taken out and the children will suffer from the efforts that these teachers give to them so selflessly.
My prayers go out to Mr. Hernandez and his family.
Comment by Michele House — September 17, 2009 @ 1:29 PM
Hello:
I´m so happy for write you; you´re so specially for me. I love your interview, it`ve a great spirit. It`s so ugly to see the dramatic life for this teacher. The bad things are the uniq for the minority, i think: Arnold S. You must to film and not be on political assunt!! I prefer you on “Terminator”, now, you arn`t 1 hero!!!
Thanx Josh for this interview!
Carter.
Comment by carter — September 21, 2009 @ 5:23 PM
It`s my favourite interview cause i love the social process, it`s interesant to see and to know. You`re very great in your questions and personal opinion.
Comment by woody — November 26, 2009 @ 1:57 AM