Is the growth of a teacher outside the classroom?
It’s amazing how learners, parents, even teachers themselves, are still grappling with the answer to a big question that is frequently yet silently asked to the ordinary teacher: “Was teaching your chosen job, or your calling?”. Is it a fictitious dream or ideology for teachers to move up the remuneration ranks without leaving their calling?
It’s amazing how learners, parents, even teachers themselves, are still grappling with the answer to a big question that is frequently yet silently asked to the ordinary teacher: “Was teaching your chosen job, or your calling?”.
Well, it all depends on the definition one assigns to both “the job” and “a calling”. To me, a job is an execution of a task or rendering of a service for the purpose of acquiring payment. Whether one enjoys or feels passionate about it, it’s of secondary interest to all parties involved. A calling on the other hand, is a combination of executing a task and enjoying every moment of the whole process. Yes, the payment forms part of it, but one happens to have a strong sense of suitability for this particular job or career.
Though it may seem far fetched, especially in the present economy, teaching, to some of us is indeed a calling. There is nothing more exhilarating than to witness an “AHA-moment” or experience the facial expressions of learners in your classroom as you are busy imparting knowledge or a skill to them. These learners come to your class dragging their feet, maybe because of the weariness brought on by climatic conditions, or weariness brought on by emotional tension they might be experiencing because of their domestic challenges. Even possibly weariness, derived from the previous lesson where they couldn’t make head or tail of what was being disseminated, let alone expected from them.
As they sit down and blankly stare at you, expecting the same mental torture, you skillfully, with love, engage them in the concept you have prepared for your lesson. You see them gradually but steadily liven up. It’s not because of your fancy skill, but because of passion, love, determination, understanding and caring that you exude throughout the lesson. The atmosphere is so light and encompassing that if it was possible, you would stop the bell from ringing and just continue with this lesson that has kept learners transfixed to their seat, focused on the delivery and captivated by the enlightening experience they are receiving.
If you’re a departmental official, what should you do if you encounter a teacher with such capabilities?
Do you encourage him or her to apply for a post at the office, or even a promotional post which will give more office-bound administrative duties that move him or her farther from teaching? Teaching that caused him or her to choose this field in the first place.
I’m at present two levels away from learners that give me a reason to get up every morning. Yes, teaching and developing other teachers is also part of teaching and training, but to me, it’s not as fulfilling as teaching learners. The rewards are so different.
I do not believe that which puts some of the best teachers on the map is their skill, per say, but rather the chemistry evoked by the reciprocity one receives from working with fresh, curious minds in a classroom. For one to feel that chemistry, it has a lot to do with the recipients. In my case, it’s definitely the learners, for they learn for the purpose of learning. I’m on top of my game in doing my office job, managing the curriculum, the debit system and even the institution itself, but my heart and soul isn’t in that at all. It’s within those four walls that a teacher, and I mean a teacher who loves his or her job, feels alive.
It’s actually with a sad note that one discovers the fact that high ranking officials, with expertise to manipulate the system, become so myopic to the fact that a good teacher doesn’t necessarily make a good head of department, deputy principal, principal or even a school management developer. That, in order to access better remuneration, we have to leave the classroom and abandon our calling, is a total detriment to the society and future generations. On that very same note, you ask yourself about the present hype that is so controversial – is a new curriculum the sole source of the high failure rate of the modern matriculants? Is it not possible that the system, the way it has tailored the growth of a teacher, contributes a lot by disarming learners of the best teachers and mentors? Is it a fictitious dream or ideology for teachers to move up the remuneration ranks without actually leaving their calling?
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I really related to this article – Teaching is my calling – nothing beats that feeling of connecting and building relationships with young people. I left teaching to consolidate and better my finanacial future. While I am removed from the classroom, I am lucky enough to have found employment at EvaluNet – whose heart, soul and passion is education. The situation has changed but the passion remains.
Melanie, I’m with you on this one. The inspiration to write this article emanated from the fact that I too, see myself leaving the classroom and venturing to good paying jobs, yet not being happy because of the absence of the learners. I have now started from scratch studying a new degree outside education parameters so that I can have a key to open other doors. But I hope I’ll still fall within interpersonal path like you did. Wait…I know God will make a way…as long as I work hard to show Him my commitment. Let’s just keep those people in us alive ok? Am happy for you gal!
I agree with the sentiments expressed here. That is why, although I climbed the ladder to principalship, I continued to teach English – in latter years, to Grade 11s and 12s. I am aware that there are moves to allow principals not to have to teach in order to qualify for their performance measurement; but I think that, if one is a good teacher, it is a pity to deprive learners of that expertise. Also, I used to say that I didn’t want to remain just a teacher, but I also didn’t want to be just a principal. I wanted to remain true to my calling – to offer children the chance to learn and grow: to teach. I also believe that a principal who does not teach is out of touch – both with his/her learners and his/her teachers.
Definately Malcolm, it’s not because of those big administrative files you have in your office, that you aspired to become a teacher. It is through that interpersonal bond you share with learners, that you become alive and have a good reason to get out of bed everyday. It’s sad because we can’t just clip our wings to fly out of class, for greener pastures are made in such a way that they become only accessable outside the classroom. Imagine how rich our learners would be if we were to be paid according to our qualifications, outputs and skills? What exactly was broad-bending?
I have 4 grand children that is nearing the age of school going and I have this urgent need for them to have excellent and passionate teachers! Teachers that not only care and teach the curriculum, but will be able to broaden their minds, help them to reflect on their own learning, to become problem solvers and overall just to make them love going to school and learning.
I used to be a teacher but are now involved with teacher training. I felt the need to share my passion for teaching with other teachers. If I can just inspire a few teachers to become the best teacher they could possibly be then I would have reached a life goal.
So, although I agree that we need the best teachers in the classroom, I also think that we should have passionate officials and principals to inspire teachers where and whenever possible.
Antoinette, you hit the proverbial nail on the head! I’m encouraged that, as an ex-teacher and now a teacher trainer, you realise that you only need to inspire a few other teachers in order to change the world! If only more leaders would just realise that making things better means making small, seemingly insignificant changes that actually result in a better South Africa. We don’t need a 20 year plan. We need small changes today. We need leaders – officials and principals – who INSPIRE.