
What is the difference between teachers and prison guards? There is a difference in salary and job security for the future. You can argue about the risks involved and hours put in each week.
We can also talk about prison conditions and that varies by state and country as well as the conditions of the public school buildings.
The biggest factor I see is that prisoners in elementary school get to walk outside and are responsible for finding their own dinner and lodging in the evening.
Some fortunate kids come to school bright and well rested. Others did not have that privilege but went through a night of domestic violence, cold and hunger.
I look at the kids in the morning and wonder what made them the zombies they are. Sure for some it was a night of Battle Ground but for the quiet ones I’m not sure what went on before they walked into the door.
Something I think about every morning when I meet students in the hall at 9am.