After  being interviewed by the school administration, the 
prospective teacher  said:
‘Let me see if  I’ve got this right.
‘You want me to go  into that room with all those kids, correct  
their disruptive behavior, observe them for  signs of abuse, monitor 
their dress habits,  censor their T-shirt messages, and instill  in 
them a love for learning.
‘You  want me to check their backpacks for weapons,  wage war on 
drugs and sexually transmitted  diseases, and raise their sense of 
self esteem  and personal pride.
‘You want me  to teach them patriotism and good citizenship,  
sportsmanship and fair play, and how to  register to vote, balance a  
checkbook, and apply for a  job.
‘You want me to check their  heads for lice, recognize signs  of 
antisocial  behavior, and make sure that they  all pass the final exams.
‘You also  want me to provide them with an equal education  
regardless of their handicaps, and  communicate regularly with their 
parents in English, Spanish or any other language, by letter, 
telephone, newsletter, and report  card.
‘You want me to do all this  with a piece of chalk, a blackboard, a 
bulletin board, a few books, a big smile, and 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?