The First Little Traveler began school in Libya, she went to a British school and came home saying "sweeties" rather than "lollies" and began referring to me as "Mamaaaaaaaaah". A few years later her and the second little traveler were at school in Canada, they learnt all of the provinces and sang the Canadian Anthem in French. The Lollies that became Sweeties were now Candy. Next it was Texas, they pledged allegiance to the flag of the United States of America each morning and talked about Abraham Lincoln with stars in their eyes.
Although each education system was vastly different, there was one commonality. The teachers. Without scanning through photos I can picture each one of their faces now as I type. I can see their classrooms, the little chairs that we squeezed in to for parent/teacher nights. Rooms that began the year looking lifeless and empty and ended jam packed with window decorations and projects. The igloo made of milk containers, the paper mache dragon, the mosaics.
Whenever spending time in a classroom, I always have the same thought upon leaving. After escaping the noise and downing a shot of something strong, I remind myself that I could NEVER be a teacher. I need two headache tablets and a vodka tonic chaser after a field trip to the zoo. I've often sat through math homework wondering how teachers explain, explain and explain some more without the assistance of alcohol. Oh wait, there was the one teacher...
Sure, we've had a couple of teachers that weren't a good match, but I've also had a few doctors, accountants and sales staff that I've felt the same way about. The occasional storm makes you appreciate the smooth sailing.
The second little traveler found her perfect match this year and was beyond excited when she found out Mrs P was pregnant and due in July (her birthday month). I'm not sure what was cuter this week, receiving the email from Mrs P with the picture of her and her seriously cute new baby girl, or watching The Second Little Traveler's face as she studied the picture over and over while reading the message out loud to us all. "Make sure you practice your reading and writing every day, please send me a note and tell me how your holidays are going." Immediately the books came out.
I loved this piece in the Huffington Post this week. I love it because Matt Damon is so obviously proud of his mother, but also it reminded me that teaching is perhaps as much a vocation as it is an occupation.
I couldn't do it.
Well, coming from a long line of teachers (my son will soon represent 100 unbroken years of teaching in my family) and having been one myself, it was refreshing to hear someone who "gets it." There has been much teacher bashing going on (especially here in NYC) lately and teachers have gotten a bad rep. "You only work part-time." They should only know the truth!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Neither could I. I barely manage to get them out the door in one piece every morning!
ReplyDeleteWe chose the Pre-school our kids are in fir the teachers and am very happy with our choice. Now for primary school..,
I agree with you. Teaching is tough. They don't get enough respect here in the USA in my opinion, so I sympathize with Matt. :-)
ReplyDeleteI love Matt Damon just that little bit more after that video! I also come from a family of teachers and have had at many points considered going into education as a profession. From growing up with teachers I know that they work really really hard. But I also believe that it is an incredibly rewarding job for those who are passionate educators and are in a supportive school environment.
ReplyDeleteThese days I have gone off the idea - I think I would be with you sipping on the vodka. But now that we have been in the school system for quite sometime I am thrilled that more often than not our kids teachers have been terrific. I am just a little sad that my two elementary schoolers only got to spend a month in the classroom of their new American teachers - both of the exceptional variety.Lovely post!
I love it when people (anyone) highlight a stupid question rather than just answering it blandly. A lot of television reporters (more than 10%) are so busy thinking of the next thing to ask, they can't phrase the current question correctly and certainly aren't listening to the answers.
ReplyDeleteNot only could I not be a teacher, but judging by the politics that I saw my mother have to deal with in that profession, I'd probably get myself fired on day one!
I am a teacher here in Australia as are my brother and sister in law (another family of teachers) Yes we do it because we love it! The hours are long but the rewards are great - those lightbulb moments when a child has a breakthrough are priceless! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I love teaching, but yes, it is oftentimes a' shxtty job' (to quote Matt.) It is even more challenging in high school, when students are no longer quite so cute and cuddly, but if you like young people and helping them learn, it is absolutely the best job in the world! What is sad for me is that I see many of the most outstanding teachers I know leaving the classroom or the profession altogether. The system is not structured to recognize or reward excellent teaching. Instead, people who want to further their careers in eduation get out of the teaching part and become guidance counselors and administrators, where they will make much more money. But can you blame them? The difference in pay (at least in the US) between a brand-new teacher and one with 30 years' experience and an advanced degree is usually not much more than $20,000. That is certainly not the case in the private sector. Granted, no one goes into teaching for the money, but still. And as far as tenure goes - in only one of the states where I have taught (in the US) do they even have the tenure system any more, so it's really a moot point. However, money pales in comparison to the note that one of my high school kids gave me on my last day of class before moving to Seoul, thanking me for 'being there' for her when she had been going through a rough time (family issues) earlier in the year, and telling me that my class had been the one bright spot in her day during that time.
ReplyDeleteYep, I'll stick with teaching.
Could we love Matt Damon any more. Oh YES we could.
ReplyDeleteMatt Damon is right to get antsy about these sweeping generalisations. Although I would love the teaching profession in Australia to be paid double what they are paid now and the process of becoming a teacher be even more rigorous (including the right personal qualities) the vast majority of teachers have something very special to offer. And he is so right that many teachers do the job because they love it (most of the time) because they are not compensated by the salary. It's also part of a child's growing up to learn how to get the best or the most out of their teachers. But this gets so much harder in high school where you can be unlucky enough to get an awful teacher in your favourite subject for example - and this is a tough situation for parents to negotiate with a teenager. I'd love a good solution for that one - we try to make up for it at home.
ReplyDeleteI am all for Matt Damon, ooops I meant teachers.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, a good teacher can really bring out a child's potential and I'm ever indebted to mine. That being said nobody can scar a child like a bad teacher.
Hope Disqus accepts my comment today. I've been trying for 4 weeks straight.
Doctors, nurses and teachers deserve a category to themselves, they are very special people - who do things for others we would never dream of doing and have the patience of saints! I am in awe of them. Andrea has chosen to be a primary teacher and concentrate on history and special needs - that is a calling as you say!
ReplyDeleteI hold them all in high regard and feel proud to know so many good ones!
Glad the teachers have Matt D as a spokesperson!
thank you! I am a teacher...many aspects are terrific (usually the kids) pay is awful. Unfortunately in the Uk teachers are frequently held to account for all of society's ills. It's nice to be appreciated...after all, the kids are the future.
ReplyDeleteA lot of generalisations in that interview - no wonder he was riled up!
ReplyDeleteI did a bit of teaching English here in the local primary school. Without pay. It drove me mental! Some days worked well and others were really hard going. A lot of kids have difficulty concentrating, while others soak up information like a sponge. Then it all becomes very difficult to balance.
As a teacher starting her 18th year tomorrow, I want to say a huge thank you for this post!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful tribute to all the classrooms your kiddoes have walked through!