So what do teachers get out of their profession? I mean, besides a decent paycheque, what are the real wordly rewards?
I was thinking about that on Sunday as I listened to a song and then some conversation about what we, as students, reaped from our educators.
These people taught us how to grow up, taught us some manners, supposedly gave us some hints about a work ethic and learning responsibility. They take us from insolence to respect and instruct us on the basics of right and wrong and how compassion works and when democracy is supposed to work and what happens when it doesn't.
In other words, teachers give us a whole whack of really, really important stuff when we're kids attempting to grow up and take a rightful place in our respective communities.
So what do they get in return?
An end of school year box of chocolates or a thank you note from a grateful parent who saw some actual progress being made with their impossible kid?
There's gotta be something more than that doesn't there?
Hey, the bride is a teacher, but out of all our crazy conversations over the decades, I don't believe I've ever asked her about what she's received for her efforts from the kids she's shoved along, hopefully on some kind of learning trajectory.
Is the reward in the eyes and smiles of a kid who suddenly but finally "gets it?"
Is the reward a two-month reprieve in summer? Is that why they go into education?
Is it the money? Hey, it could be for some.
Was it the adventure of exploring young minds and helping them mine for knowledge?
Is it power knowing that you know something they don't know and then imparting the wisdom for the sake of feeling superior? Hey, we're just talking here.
So what do you say teachers? Retired teachers, looking back on your careers, where were your rewards?
What do you get in return?
Hey, I'm no teacher worshipper. I've seen enough iffy educators to realize that some aren't in the game for all the right reasons, just like there are some below average nurses and engineers and, yes, reporters. Yikes, I've seen some doozies in the reportage game.
What benefits are there to imparting wisdom to packs of young bandits and wild things?
As former students, we always have our favourite stories about the best teachers we ever encountered, and the worst ones, too. Mention the word teacher or cop, and everyone around the table will have a story to tell. It comes with the territory.
So we know where the rewards are for cops. They get to wear uniforms, drive around in decorated cars and put bad people away while protecting the good people.
But teachers? I don't know. I'd like to find out.
I do recall though that algebra teacher from long ago who struggled mightily to bring a trio of us along to a point of understanding rudimentary calculus. We just weren't getting it, even with some additional free evening tutoring sessions. I remember looking away from a frustrating problem on the blackboard and glancing at our equally frustrated teacher and observing a tear forming in his eye as he asked us to tackle it just one more time.
"Oh crap," I thought to ownself, "this guy really does care."
They might not always succeed, but damn it, they're going to try. Maybe that's the reward for educators. What do you think, dear diary?
