I'm married to a teacher and proud of it ...

There are times during the year, being married to a school teacher, where it would seem the term "second fiddle" would apply. Not that its intentional or not that teachers put their families on a shelf, its just during these times we share our caring, loving spouse with children ready to be molded with the knowledge teachers are excited to impart. The start of a new school year is one of those times.

I have heard some say that our public school system is simply an old system that has out-lived its usefulness and I guess those people have their points to make. However, I know those people don't live with a teacher! I see the love and care the teacher that I married has in her heart for the children that become part of my family for that school year. In fact, I have always told people that we have 15 to 20 kids every year. I know that these kids aren't "ours", but in a way they do become like our own children. There have even been times when my wife who has taught Kindergarten was even called "Momma". Now most teachers correct those children with a simple reminder of their name and move on about their day. But I see something different. I see those children feeling the care and, dare I say this in this day and age of political correctness, genuine love from a serving teacher.

There are times when this spouse of a teacher would like to be more selfish and hold onto my wife. Then I think of all those little minds walking in during the first day of school maybe even a little ... OK, alot scared. Its then I step aside and watch my wife from my self go off to help those little minds with all the preciseness of a Brain Surgeon, all the academia of a Scholar, all the determination of an Olympian and swell with pride. I then resign to the fact that a new school year has started, and, being honest, I look forward to the next summer break. Even so, I understand that at that time those little minds will be much bigger from knowledge of how to read, count coins, solve math problems, the excitement of Science, Music, Art, and on, and on, and on. So, I sit back and say a prayer for protection and open minds ... and for summer break.

-Jamey Parker