Nicaragua: Take a good look

Correct me if I am wrong, but I do not recall the United States ever celebrating a designated "Teacher Day." Today is Día del maestro here, and therefore teachers are enjoying a bit of recognition in the form of days off of school, a government bonus, assemblies, lunches, gifts, and congratulatory text messages at 6am. The last one is most definitely not my favorite form of recognition.

All of this teacher-praising is uplifting. I have lost count of how many speeches I have heard in the past few days which have esteemed teaching as the most respectable and dignified profession. It is true: teachers play an important role in directly influencing the future of each student which passes through their classroom. Even though teachers here and elsewhere will continue to be underpaid for the work they do, at least morale in these parts has been boosted as of recent. 

And, like most things happen around here, I am ready for the talking to be over and for action to take the reigns. Students here, like everywhere else, deserve a good education. Taking a break to pat our teachers on the back was great, but let's return to the classroom. Let's get teaching.