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Looking for meaning? Look into teaching by Sandra Still In the award-winning play "A Man for All Seasons," the wise and influential Sir Thomas More suggests to an ambitious young man, "Why not be a teacher? You'd be a fine teacher. Perhaps even a great one." The young man sighs, "And if I was, who would know it?" Replies Sir Thomas, "You, your pupils, your friends, God. Not a bad public, that . . . ." "Be a teacher" - excellent advice centuries ago and excellent advice today. Frequently we hear the "why nots" of the profession - mediocre pay, stress, low status and the like. Yet many people become and remain teachers, often for the very reasons More mentioned - enriching one's life, benefiting pupils and community, and satisfying an inborn need to live for other than self. Several years back, between teaching jobs, I worked in a typical office. No, actually it was a very nice office - fine people, steady and interesting work, a reasonable schedule with weekends off. Yet, as the days went by one thing became increasingly, distressingly evident. There was little room for personal creativity, judgment or autonomy. In the classroom, within broad guidelines for attendance hours and state curriculum requirements, the teacher has a great deal of personal freedom. He or she can envision and create activities for the students, rather than do the "same old, same old" day after day. The pace can be quickened or slowed from week to week. Once the classroom door closes, most teachers make "executive" decisions daily without asking anyone's permission. It struck me recently, as the large staff where I teach returned from vacation days, how unique a profession teaching is. We were told before vacation when to return - and everyone did. We punched no time clocks. No one came by our rooms to see if we were on the job. We just came, prepared for the students and got to work. People who like, and will consistently take, personal responsibility for themselves and their work, will enjoy teaching. Exams were over. On the following day, I was working at my desk when one of my students came flying into the room. Before I could say a word, she tackled me with a big hug, then stood at arm's length and said, "Thank you for taking time to phone me last night to say how good I did on my exam. After a really horrible evening at work I came home and got your call. You don't know how much it meant!" Then she gave me another big hug and left. Sir Thomas said, when asked who would know, " . . . your pupils . . .." The kids know. You can't fool them, lie to them, or con them for very long. While they may try to make life miserable for a teacher if they can, the young 'uns always know, deep down, who really cares. When teachers say, "The students make it all worthwhile," they mean it. People who genuinely care for young people, even the students they may not personally like, will enjoy teaching. Which leads to Sir Thomas' final point - God. Whether a person is religious or not, if he or she desires to do something in life that matters, teaching will fill the need. Many professions pay more (though teachers' pay is improving), but if one sincerely wishes to influence lives rather than deal with objects, build bridges or manipulate data, money may not be the prime consideration. Teaching does offer something very precious - time. Time in which a person can participate in activities that enrich life. Time for family, for favorite pursuits, for volunteer work. In the Triangle, many summer camps, youth programs and church projects recruit "on vacation" teachers to fill paid and unpaid staff positions. Other teachers use their "down" time to pursue important research, conduct workshops and seminars or renew themselves for the challenges of a new school term. The person who values a life rich in giving, sharing and learning will enjoy teaching. "Be a teacher." The suggestion holds good for those selecting
their life's work or considering a change in career. Those with a love
of teaching in their hearts will enter a profession where the sky is the
limit for personal and professional growth. Where one can "start
afresh" with each new group that walks expectantly into one's classroom.
A profession where five, 10 or 15 years later, a letter - or a faintly
familiar adult - arrives and says, "You probably don't remember me,
but you changed my life and I will love and honor you forever." Be
a teacher. |
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