After being interviewed by the school administration, the teaching prospect said, "Let me see if I've got this right."
"You want me to go into that room with all those kids and: a.. correct their disruptive behavior b.. observe them for signs of abuse c.. monitor their dress habits d.. censor their T-shirt messages e.. instill in them a love for learning f.. check their backpacks for weapons g.. wage war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases h.. raise their sense of self esteem and personal pride i.. teach them patriotism and good citizenship, sportsmanship and fair play j.. discuss how to register to vote, balance a checkbook, and apply for a job k.. check their heads for lice l.. recognize signs of anti-social behavior m.. make sure that they all pass the state exams n.. provide them with an equal education regardless of their handicaps o.. communicate regularly with their parents by letter, telephone, newsletter, and report card. You want me to do all this with: a.. a piece of chalk b.. a blackboard c.. a bulletin board d.. a few books e.. a big smile f.. a starting salary that qualifies me for food stamps. You want me to do all this and then you tell me - I can't pray?!"