A Noble Profession

‘Teachers have the easiest jobs in the world! They finish work at 3pm every day, and they have all the school holidays!’ I can’t tell you how often I’ve heard this statement. Or, perhaps my favourite one – ‘Teachers teach because they don’t know how to do!’ Yes, these are the misguided perceptions of many people, including many parents who teach their children that teaching is a lowly profession and deserves no respect. Teaching remains one of the lowest paid professions that require a degree and/or postgraduate qualification. This, coupled with the dire state of education in our country, and the poor example set by some teachers, has seen the gradual decline of the status of teaching as a profession.
I find fewer and fewer school leavers wanting to enter the teaching profession, and if they are considering it, they are often talked out of it, sometimes even by teachers themselves! Unlike many Eastern countries where teachers are revered and occupy an elevated position in society, teachers in Western society, like most civil servants, do not enjoy the same levels of respect. Perhaps it is because we gauge the value and contribution of someone in society by the amount that they earn, or because our societal priorities are dysfunctionally inverted – we have lost sight of what is critically important for a sustainable and productive society. Whatever the case may be, the sad truth exists – teaching is a profession which is under-valued and little celebrated. I must caution from the outset that this is not a ‘pat on the back’ exercise, instead, I would like to remind you just how important teachers are, and to give you a glimpse into what teachers do besides teaching and marking. We are not perfect, and I acknowledge this fact, but we do the best that we can, and we have your children’s best interests at heart. We want to earn the respect of your children, but cannot expect to achieve this if there is a message coming from the home that says teachers and the teaching profession should not be respected.
What is a teacher? When I ask this question, I do not refer here to those who are teachers only in name. I am talking of teachers who are a credit to their profession, and live out the very essence of this calling. In my humble opinion, I would like to offer my thoughts on what the definition is of a true teacher. I hope for you, as parents, it will help you understand the noble calling that is teaching, and also inspire those teachers who read this, that it may serve to reinforce the amazing work you do, and inspire you to be even better teachers.
A real teacher...
...is a big brother/sister, guardian , counsellor, psychologist (we would be psychiatrists, but we’re not allowed prescribing medication!), First Aider, actor extraordinaire, guide, mentor, coach, entertainer, comedian, career counsellor. He/she is a shoulder to cry on, a confidante, taskmaster, mind reader, body language expert and a whole lot more...in a day!
...knows that learning doesn’t just happen in the curriculum, but looks for opportunities to teach on the sports field, on the playground, and at every opportunity where there exists the possibility to learn something new or reinforce something already learnt.
...sees teaching as a calling, not a job. He/she does not clock in or clock out, but gives of his/her time selflessly. There is no start time or end time for a teacher – he/she is always a teacher, even after hours!
...teaches gentleness in a violent world
...teaches true, unconditional love in a world where love has become warped and distorted
...teaches compassion and altruism in a world that says, “It’s every man for himself!”
...teaches self-control in a hedonistic society that says, “Do what your heart desires!”
...teaches humility in a world that says, “Look at me!”
...teaches patience in an ‘instant’ world
...teaches real peace, not peace that is achieved by dropping bombs on another country
...teaches the importance of fairness even though life can seem so unfair
...is a living example of values, morals and ethics that are in direct conflict with the actions of many of the world’s ‘role models’, and its political leaders
...sees the good in a child when everyone else can only see bad
...has a heart for those children who are least favoured in life – he/she will always back the underdog (that’s why most teachers support the Stormers!)
...sees your child as being just as unique as you see him/her
...disciplines your child out of love, not out of vindictiveness nor malice. He/she uses discipline to create boundaries because children love boundaries, and learn best when they are in an environment where they know what they are allowed to do, and what they are not allowed to do
...never stops learning, and wanting to be a better teacher, no matter how experienced he/she is
...has the humility and grace to teach some minds and intellects greater than his/her own
...is prepared to make a fool of him/herself if it means the class will understand and remember
...puts personal pain and heartache aside so as to deal with the pain and heartache of the children in his/her care

And at the end of the day, what does a teacher want? Not piles of end of year gifts (though there won’t be any complaints!) but rather the knowledge that his/her work has been appreciated. Those little notes, and those cards that just say “Thank You” are treasured long after you’ve forgotten you ever wrote them. It’s those “Thank you’s” that keep us motivated and strong. A real teacher says, “As long as I touched one life in my career, it was all worth it!”

So, next time you’re tempted to say, ‘Teachers have the easiest jobs in the world! They finish work at 3pm every day, and they have all the school holidays!’ or even, ‘Teachers teach because they don’t know how to do!’ especially if it’s in front of your children, remember these words, and spare a thought for the teacher who loves and cares for your child.