"When did teachers became the scapegoats for factors beyond their control?" wonders Rafe Esquith in this passionate article. A 30-year veteran teacher, Esquith understands all too clearly the factors undermining teacher morale: ubiquitous tests, rules, and regulations; unfair, often ridiculous expectations; rising poverty and decaying societal values that result in many students coming to school unprepared to learn; and insincere politicians who pontificate about the value of our schools while cutting education funding. Yet he finds inspiration in his fellow educators and the hundreds of thousands of others who come in early, stay late, and never forget that they got into education because of the students. "Optimism is the foundation of all good teaching," asserts Esquith. "Optimism in the face of daunting reality is downright heroic--and that, in fact, is what good teachers practice all day long."