Happy World Teachers' Day
Mrs Rutter, Mr Robertson, Mr Smitten, Mr Gott, Mr Barcroft the list goes on but these people were all teachers who inspired me and who changed my life. Mr Smitten was a young Geography teacher who lit a learning fire and passion for Geography which meant that I decided to learn Geography to degree level.
I think we all have had teachers who changed our lives but my biggest regret that for some of those named above, it is too late to tell them what an impact they had on my life. For some of them, who I’ve lost touch with, I hope they get to read this.
Why? Because teachers are some of the most altruistic professionals I know. They train for almost as long as a doctor or a nurse to make a difference to the lives of the young people they work with. Every day they nurture and shape the futures of those young people. The level of personal investment is huge, with teachers working on average 23 hours per week for free in excess of their paid hours. When I’ve mentioned this to parents of children at school they have struggled to understand that anything beyond the 32.5 hours per week isn’t paid overtime. You simply don’t get overtime, and the system couldn’t afford it.
The reason why teachers do it is that they know that children and young people get one go at education and that what they do really matters and can make a huge difference to the life chances and life expectancy of those in their care.
Beyond the academic learning, teachers are often a stabilising presence for students. They are consistent, turn up every day and when they say they’ll do something they do it. That level of consistency isn’t always present for many of our youngsters.
The quote from Maya Angelou, the novelist and civil rights activist is so true and especially when talking about teachers:
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Teachers are enablers and allow each child, just like a flower, to open up and be the best version of themselves.
So, if teachers don’t get paid for these extra hours why do they do it?
Ultimately, they come into the profession to make a difference and the sense of satisfaction when you can set a child off on the right track and they achieve if worth its weight in gold.
I love to hear how ex pupils are doing knowing that I helped to play a part in that journey. Recently I heard about one ex pupil who had become a nuclear scientist, another who is landing fast jets on an aircraft carrier and one ex student has set up his own roofing business.
I guess what teachers really want from students and parents is that acknowledgement that they are playing a key role in the future of the child. A word of thanks, a note to say thank you or even a passing comment to say, we appreciate what you’re doing and the extra time you’re giving to my child is invaluable to our teachers.
How do I know? I have a file full of them because in terms of why I came into teaching this acknowledgement shows I made a difference and it was appreciated.
Monday 5th October is World Teacher Day and is a chance to say thank you for the way that teachers go over and above for our children but don’t just leave it until World Teacher Day. Drop a word of thanks into your conversation with a teacher and see how much it means to them!
Written by Andy Mellor, National Wellbeing Director