I often dream of a flipped hierarchy in education, where at the top of the pyramid are the classrooms with teachers and students, and below us are all of the other people in supportive roles, holding up the most important work we do.

If you are not a teacher, but you’re looking at this image, thinking, “Yes, that’s exactly how it is,” then you should try talking to some teachers.

I’m fortunate to feel supported at my school by colleagues, school leaders, and parents, but that’s not necessarily the norm. And there are still outside forces that threaten these conditions. Do teachers feel recognized and supported by the people/organizations that influence and govern their profession? The answer, by and large, is no. And when teachers aren’t supported, students aren’t either.

If we are really most important, then let’s flip the hierarchy!

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Author

Ariel Sacks

Ariel Sacks began her 13-year teaching career in New York City public schools after earning her master’s degree at Bank Street College and has taught and coached in grades 7-9. She is the author of Whole Novels for the Whole Class: A Student Centered Approach (Jossey-Bass, 2014) and writes a teaching column for Education Week Teacher.

Ariel’s work as a teacher leader with the Center for Teaching Quality involved her in co-authoring Teaching 2030: What We Must Do For Our Public Schools – Now and in the Future. She was also featured in the CTQ book Teacherpreneurs: Innovative Teachers Who Lead Without Leaving.

She is currently working on a book about the role of creative writing in equitable, 21st century schools, and she speaks and leads workshops on the whole novels approach.

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