A Teacher's Story

Veteran Philadelphia teacher Frank Burd tells his own story about the violence that plagues Philly’s schools, the incredible support he received from the community, and his ongoing fight to recover

By Frank Burd

: Courtesy of Frank Burd

Page 1 of 11

It's been over a year now since the injury. On February 23rd, 2008, at 11:10 a.m., I was with my friend Elan. “How do you feel about it?” he asked me.

“It’s crazy,” I responded. “One year ago from this moment, I was just a normal high-school teacher, struggling like thousands of others to do his job in the Philadelphia high schools, and then ... ” Elan looked at me, waiting for me to go on. “And then, my life was to change beyond my wildest thoughts. And then, my life stopped. And then, I awoke in the hospital.”

I wasn’t crying about it. Talking about the injury doesn’t make me cry or feel afraid. But there are so many other things connected to the events of that day and afterwards that do.

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Every Teacher Knows This is True
Posted by | Jun. 24, 2008 at 10:54 AM

COMMENT:

Most people have no idea what is happening with many of our young people. However those who teach, have watched it begin quietly and now roll in like a tornado, taking over the public schools in too many locations. Until parents take parenting seriously, and schools have the rights returned to them to govern the students without fear of lawsuits, it can only get worse while the inmates run the asylums, er schools. Teachers need the support of STRONG Boards of Educations and Principals, and those leaders of education need to have their hands untied by legislators. It all comes back to the people.

A most important lesson
Posted by | Jun. 27, 2008 at 8:31 PM

COMMENT:

Mr. Burd's story is, sadly, not unusual. Brain injuries are often misdiagnosed or overlooked because they are subtle and often there is no visible broken bone or wound. This gentle and intelligent man has described the process faced by millions around the world each year. May we hope that they, like Frank Burd, receive prompt and competent care.

Teacher assaults are a corruption
Posted by | Jul. 7, 2008 at 2:18 PM

COMMENT:

Assaulting a teacher is the end line of a corruption of civic values and institutions. I am also a teacher with 29 years experience. I would rather leave the profession ten to teach in the Philadelphia Schools.