SpringfieldNewsSun.com

URBANA — Son came home from school last week and complained, "Some of my favorite teachers are being laid off."

I asked him who. He gave a list that had me gasping, "Oh, no!"

When the Urbana City School District announced cuts in staff, I took note of the wording of the articles in the newspapers: "an elementary art class and a junior high administrator."

A junior high administrator? I'm pretty sure Urbana Junior High only has two. I was afraid to think about which one would be jobless.

Now, as Son listed the names, I matched faces to what had been nonspecific labels in the paper.

Previous business closings and downsizings might have made me numb to the next one. I've had more feeling with this one. This layoff included faces I knew.

It seems strange that in a town the size of Urbana, I hadn't known anyone who worked for the paper company or Siemens or any of the other businesses that had cut jobs. I have been concerned with each announcement, but no faces popped into my mind. It wasn't personal.

Faces did pop into mind when the school announced reductions.

The first were those of the junior high administrators. Both have a number of years in education, but probably not enough to retire. Finding another job could mean a major pay cut since most school districts will not hire a veteran teacher and pay for more than 10 years experience.

Son named the teachers he heard were being let go. The guidance counselor who helped ease an unexpected change of school districts. The art teacher who had contagious enthusiasm — for her craft and her students. The science teacher appreciated Son's inquisitiveness and intuitiveness.

How could one not put a face to the individuals who made such positive influences on my child? How can the years of experience, the rapport with other staff, students and parents be calculated? Those are priceless.

In a town the size of Urbana, teachers and school employees are more than nameless people who exist from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. within the confines of the school building.

These educators have names and history with our families. They have taught entire families, often several generations. Long-time residents can share experiences about common teachers.

Teachers do not choose their profession for the riches or the glory. Both come in verifiably modest quantities for educators.

Teachers persist for scarce "ah-hah!" moments. Those moments can come from students, from parents, even co-workers. There may only be two earfuls of "ah-hah" in a career.

Teachers don't expect their own faces to become prominent. The most important face to them is the one of the student.

Hopefully, Son's lament will allow the teachers leaving one more "Ah, hah!"

Vote for this story!