Dear Editor,
The Other Side to Teaching
For many persons teaching is an occupation that is concerned with facilitating pupils in the learning experience. So, many individuals think it is just a job. And yes, it is a job but there is just so much more to teaching than accommodating the academic needs of the students. Honestly, it is hard for a teacher to do just that. Teachers give so much of themselves to the profession that many ponder why the salary is often so poor in several countries. So, let us take a look on the other side of the coin where it’s not just a 9 to 5.
An Agent of Change
From very early educators are taught to be agents of change and many go on to do just that. They try to instil the very best in the students that they meet and therefore do everything for these young minds to reach their full potential. Sometimes they have to go way beyond the call of duty. So, it’s very common to find teachers offering extra lessons for free so that students can excel in the required subjects that they need for their career paths.
Many of these extra lessons are even held on weekends and during holidays to maximise the potential of learners. There are many occasions too where teachers often pay for these subjects out of pocket or have fundraisers to finance many of these examination costs. The same teacher will spend endless hours on the School Based Assessment making suggestions and providing guidance to ensure that their pupils get the best grades ever.
The Banker
This one may come as a surprise. The reality is that many teachers actually give from their salaries to benevolent fund initiatives within some schools so that students can be provided with additional help such as money for transportation. The truth is while there are some government programmes in place to offset some costs it is not always enough so many teachers choose to shoulder this responsibility from a place of love. There are times you will find teachers even taking on the roles of entertainers and putting on a show to raise funds to assist the students based on their different needs.
The counsellor
Teachers even serve as ‘counsellors’ for students that are hurt or experiencing trauma. Educators spend hours listening and comforting their charges. And when these cases get a little beyond their professional realm they stand beside their students while they undergo the professional help that they sometimes have to seek for them.
Many will say it comes with the job but remember every day these civil servants choose to extend themselves to the nation’s children. So, as they enter negotiations or even express their challenges the least we can do is show them the respect that they are so deserving of. Give them the support that they have given to many of us and continue to give on a daily basis. There are many of us who are where we are today because of that one teacher that believed in us and went beyond the call of duty.
They saw us, they listened and they gave all they could. We all can remember that one teacher.
Yours truly,
Kalehia Johnson
