HAWKINS: Cowan story shines light on teacher morale
Folks around town have been thinking a lot about teachers over the past week when one of Odessa High’s most beloved educators resigned after more than 20 years with the district.
Teri Cowan, who left OHS two weeks ago, described being fed up and having an overwhelming workload forced upon her through new district-mandated programs. With tears in her eyes she recalled how emotional it was to empty the classroom where she passionately taught thousands of students AP English.
“As liberating as telling it like it is feels, I am grieving the loss of this position,” she wrote in her resignation letter. “I can only hope that our ECISD administration and school board will step back and evaluate the aggressive way they have put into place many of their initiatives. I am merely one frustrated teacher among many who are leaving a job they once loved to pursue a teaching job elsewhere.”
Her reason for coming forward was a valiant one: she wanted to give the other teachers a voice. She described an attitude of “us against them” between the ECISD administrators and teachers. Programs implemented by ECISD such as Eduphoria and CSCOPE were leaving teachers overworked and exhausted. But until last week, local educators, who some say feared for their jobs, remained quiet.
Her story prompted many more teachers to speak up. Many of the 125 readers who commented on the story are teachers.
Sidney A. Hill thanked Cowan for her honesty.
“This is a very sad story about the state of our school district,” Hill commented. “Sadly many other teachers can tell a similar story. I have never in my 27 years seen so many frustrated and unhappy teachers who are expected to complete unrealistic amounts of work on our own time and money. Someone, somewhere in this district needs to wake up…the students of Ector County deserve better.”
Toni Lange commented that Cowan was not only a colleague but had taught her daughter.
“From Teri, and teachers like her, my daughter learned not only the curriculum, but how to survive and succeed in an increasingly complicated world,” Lange commented. “To see her ‘throw in the towel’ is just heartbreaking to witness. This district is literally running off the best of the best all in the name of documentation that teachers do not have the time to do. I’ve been a teacher for 18 years and the demands on educators have increased every year to the point where the burden outweighs the benefits. I am so proud to know Teri, and I applaud her for speaking out for all of us.”
Another colleague, Yolanda Carr, also commented thanking Cowan for helping her as a teacher and campus administrator.
“But most of all thank you for loving all students including my son,” Carr wrote. “You have in many ways touched my life and know that many who dare not comment feel the same,” Carr wrote.
Chuck Isner, a teacher and president of the local chapter of the Texas State Teachers Association said he has been trying to get the attention of administrators for some time.
“I don’t know how they can ignore this outpouring of support for you and the concerns you raise,” Isner commented. “Dr. Sanchez dismissed our concerns when I presented the results of our survey Tuesday evening, suggesting that we stacked the deck w/ an open survey that was being answered over and over by just a few disgruntled teachers. Judging by the number of comments from former student and colleagues you are exactly the kind of veteran teacher that has felt pushed out. If your courage results in the administration or board truly getting the message and listening to the staff, then this may be the largest jewel in your teacher’s crown. And the love and esteem you are held in by those former students and fellow teachers tells me that crown is already quite esquisite (sic)…You’re leaving a big hole in ECISD, and if teachers continue to be ignored there will be a large exodus following you soon.”
Stay tuned.
