This sentence is so overused as a persuasive tactic that Wikepdia, the online encyclopedia, actually has an entry for it, and defines it as a worn-out cliché. “The Simpsons” has mocked it as trite for years.

Yet I still hear it.

Often, when teachers talk about low pay, low per-pupil expenditures, and high budget cuts, we are told to overcome these inconveniences and spend more time thinking about the children. Sometimes the sentence feels like an instrument of guilt used to silence us.

But guess what? I agree.

Since being named Oklahoma Teacher of the Year for 2017-2018, my message to teachers across this great state has been, “Stay and Fight.”

Our children and our state are worth it. I remind teachers of their responsibilities to take care of our children and be loyal to the state that educated them and trained them so well that any other state would love to have them.

And I remind them that sometimes, the greatest causes demand the greatest sacrifices from those who would do the greatest work.

I’m sure we can all agree on the value of making some sacrifices for our next generation. I’m sure we can all name specific instances in which we already do so. But I would like to extend a challenge and ask that every time you ask or expect a teacher to focus less on his or her own needs and more on the needs of the children, you be willing to do the same. In other words, find ways to help us do what you want from us.

I think the results would surprise us all.

In my home town of Durant, I have attempted to engage the business community in specific efforts to improve education, now and in the future. They have been remarkably responsive. I believe that our legislative community, despite its growing emphasis on privatization, would nonetheless support public school initiatives that would benefit our children. I think the same of the general populace, which — too often in my opinion — buys into the myth of our “failing” public schools.

Instead of teachers bemoaning a lack of support, and instead of our business leaders, legislators and general population bemoaning failure, wouldn’t it obviously be better to work on improving what we all agree is our most important concern — the children?

Let me be more specific. Many argue that low gross production taxes for oil companies allows for research and development that will ultimately benefit our state. Clearly, those companies prioritize research to the tune of millions if not billions of dollars. Just as clearly, these same businesses need educated, capable employees. If or when those employees do not appear, it’s easy for the business sector to blame the failures of the education system. It’s equally easy for teachers to blame the government and business sector for not providing the same investment into education as they do into drilling and production research and development.

This circular blame benefits no one.

From where I sit, I can ask our business leaders and legislators to invest resources in education in the same fashion they do in business development. The reason I can ask is because I ask teachers all the time to find innovative ways to work with the resources we have to provide the education our state needs to thrive. Let’s meet each other’s needs rather than lament each other’s so-called failures.

Of course I am biased, but I believe teaching is the most important profession. The effects of education ripple throughout our society, affecting poverty, crime, health, and, of course, the economy. Teachers spend more time influencing your children during their formative years than anyone (including many parents).

But while teachers teach, we all possess the broader responsibility of education. The responsibility requires sacrifice, which I believe we all our willing to share.

In other words, we are not just asking, “What about the children?”

We are asking, “What about all of us?”

Jon Hazell teaches at Durant High School. He was recently named Oklahoma State Teacher of the Year, 2017-2018.