PROJECT FRONTLINE
an ode to the women of K-12
My research was not born of fascination or inquiry, nor the common judgment that can be found placed on a generation by the ones who preceded it... “The kids are not okay”. While this may or may not be commonplace this is not my focus. This work was born from second hand experience — stepping in and out of the shoes of the women who are doing their part in raising America’s children. This work is a tribute. Not for teachers alone, but to every woman at all levels of the school system.
I have been a substitute teacher since 2022. In the beginning it seemed to be the most “hassle-free” and “easy” side hustle for me as I taught my own classes at the collegiate level. Over time my experiences have shifted my once almost indifferent, “couldn’t be me” attitude towards K-12 teachers. And after some years, it in fact not be most of us. The women who teach K-12 as well as the women at every level of the school system from Cafeteria worker, Administrative assistants, Special education aids to Principal have a grace about them not found in every profession. Day in and out they all show up, playing their part co-parenting America’s children and in some cases even while parenting their own.
I have had the pleasure (and the occasional displeasure) of stepping into the shoes of many different teachers at every level of educational development over the years. I’ve met and built relationships with woman at every level. In my opinion they are all the backbone of this nation and the most unrecognized and taken for granted at a systemic level. For this work I reached out to every single one of them, some responded, some did not. Those who did were asked to provide a statement concerning a topic of their choice or participate in an interview with me. Additionally, I received clothing from those who participated. This work is my labor of love to them, a love letter, a thank you and token of my appreciation. They all show up, day in and out. Some get to school at 7am and leave out at 6pm. They treat the children with respect when it is not reciprocated, guidance when it is not appreciated and love when it is not recognized. At every level these women are on the Frontlines everyday, just playing their part in an attempt to secure America’s future.
SELECT STATEMENTS & INTERVIEWS
[ Some names have been abbreviated to preserve privacy]
Ms. T - Middle School Art Teacher
“I grew up never wanting to be a teacher, my Grandparents were teachers and always encouraged me to do the same, I thought I'd be bad at it. As I grew up I always had a need to create and be creative and fashion design was my biggest outlet. I pursued a career in fashion and while in the corporate world I got bored. Then I remembered the time I asked my Grandpa what it was he liked most about teaching. He said, "Everyday is different." The desire for variety, for every day to be different, combined with the desire to create and help others create led me to become an Art Teacher. The need to encourage today's youth to try, to be inspired by and experience different things keeps me being an Art Teacher. The experience of often being undervalued, of being overlooked and overworked makes me not want to be an Art Teacher. One day the cons might outweigh the pros, but for now I will keep striving to make every day different.”
Kiley Kennedy
ATTN: Morgan Bouldes
Frontline statement
Hi, I’m Miss K! I’ve been a teacher for 8 years, and have taught everything from homeschool, to K4, to my current position in 2nd grade. I absolutely love what I do, and it’s the only profession I see myself being in. I grew up with 7 siblings and 18 cousins, all younger than me, so the leadership role came naturally. I babysat for many military families while moving around the country, so adapting to change also came easily. When I started college, my Early Childhood Education major was an obvious choice.
Teaching is definitely a profession that requires real-time, on-the-job hours to gain experience. It’s also a profession that you can never be fully prepared for, or always feel like you know what you’re doing, because of the ever-changing nature of children, curriculum, and technology. However, it is one of the most rewarding professions there is, with living proof that you are making a difference. The kids make everything else worth it.
As a teacher, I do so many things in one day. One of the most important, in my opinion, is to make sure that all my students feel safe and heard. I honor their voices, experiences, and cultures, hoping to make them feel welcome and loved in my classroom. We respect each other and practice empathy, preparing them to be kind individuals as they grow up in the world. It is commonly said that “teaching is a work of heart,” and that continues to prove true, as we share our love of learning with our students, and they as always end up taking a special place in our hearts, year in and year out.
Educators, mediators
Advocators, collaborators
Schedule this, fundraise that
Can you find my missing hat?
Scientists and mathematicians
Coaches, artists, and musicians
Caregivers for big and small
Enforce the rules, monitor the hall
Entertainers, therapists
Mentors and IT specialists
Storytellers, writers, readers
Producing social justice leaders
Organize that, problem solve this
We don’t want the homework, Miss!
Speakers, listeners, decorators
Nurses, janitors, motivators
Research, plan, negotiate
Cheer them on, help translate
Counselors and social work
Sometimes they think you’re the jerk
Role models and dream instillers
Clean up after little spillers
Wipe a nose, and tie a shoe
All before the day is through
Ms. Y - Elementary Teacher
“I carry Mr. Rogers' quote with me “The love of learning has a lot to do with learning that we are loved.” My purpose as a teacher is to make sure children come to school everyday excited and passionate about their learning. They feel seen, heard, respected and know that they are capable of incredible things. I always say teaching kindergarteners is like building a house. Right now we are setting the foundation for lifelong learning, and we cannot rush, or skip steps or you will have a shaky foundation for years to come.
Coach K - High School Coach and Gym teacher
Growing up, I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. Whether that was to emulate my first grade teacher, Ms. Bandi, or to fulfill the dreams of my Mom, this was never in question for me. It wasn't until my Junior year of high school that I knew what I wanted to teach. I was a PE TA aiding the teacher, Ms. Liyeos, in whatever she needed. I realized the love that I had for this when I would come home and the only stories I would enthusiastically share with my family around the dinner table were the chronicles of what happened in 5th hour PE. I loved this role as a PE TA that I scheduled this course each semester for the last two years of my high school career. It wasn't until college that I realized my love and appreciation for Health. I had wonderful and inspiring professors who changed my perspective on what Health is and how it could be taught. This is now my favorite thing to teach to high school aged students. I get purpose and meaning from the relationships I develop with students. Seeing them mature and grow over the four years in high school brings me great joy and meaning in my career.”
Quotes from Ms. B - 3rd Grade
“Consistent start = successful school”
Notes from conversation with Ms. W - Middle School Administrative Assistant
She has a unique perspective being in the office. She is troubled by the amount of “mental aguish” many students go through. She feels “focusing on feelings over objective truth is destroying our youth.” When asked about discipline and what happens to students who are sent to the office she stated “Nothing.” And noted how hard it can be to develop students in that way when some parents have the approach of “my baby is not wrong” though some “Great parents have bad kids”.
Notes from conversation with Ms. D - Elementary Special Ed
Over 10 years of experience. Some challenges she finds within the classroom today are: “A shift in a focus on testing rather than character building”. Representation matters. It’s important to have staff that look like children they serve.” And recounted an experience where she was asked by a young black student to do her hair. She also took note of the unintended biases that can take place when staff and students differ in race. “The reason I got into education was to make sure my daughter didn’t go through what I went through.”