Teachers & demi-gods.

 

For 35 years (my time in Canada) I've been listening to teachers, as represented by the BCTF, whining, complaining and bitching about how horrible they are being treated and how unfair everything is and how they never get what they deserve. 

Even longer than that. On my very first trip to Canada, in 1989, I got my very first explanation of "inhumanely" they are being treated. Let me put it this way: You should probably consider yourselves lucky that you are not getting what you deserve, because if you did, it could get very ugly, very quickly. I'm sure I'm not alone, but speaking for myself, I'm sick and tired of listening to whining teachers who aparently see themselves as some kind of demi-gods.

And there's not a government on this planet - or at least not in this province, who is even remotely good enough for them, or does even remotely enough for them, or treat them anywhere near the demi-gods they believe they are. It doesn't matter if it's the liberals, the conservatives, the NDP (in any version of all their name changes)...or the marijuana party for that matter. There is just no government good enough for them.

"We're not getting paid enough". "We're not getting enough resources". "We're not getting enough time off". "We're working too hard". "There's too much stress". "There's too much pressure". "The kids are not paying attention to us" (I'll get to that one in a moment). "Too many kids in the class". "Too many portables". "Not enough assistant teachers". Bla, bla, bla, bla, bla...Too little, too many, too few, too much, too tall, too low, too frequent, not frequent enough. Never, ever, is anyhting good enough. And I am the lucky one - I've only been listening to this for 35 years. Any wonder you are getting a little tired of it? Ask yourself why many parents like I, simply put you on our "block" list. Because we're sick and tired of listening to your whining.

Here's a little reality check for you, straight from real life: Teachers are just like, say, bakers. I can speak to that one. I've been one of them since 1st of March, 1979 (05:00, Central European Time). There are a few that are really good, and then you have a LOT that are really, really shitty bakers. Especially in North-America. Same goes for the teachers. You have a few that are really good...and you have a LOT of really, really shitty teachers. Now, I don't think you would find any more than one (that I can think of) shitty baker who would consider himself a demi-god. But aparently all teachers (as represented by the BCTF) are to be treated as demi-gods, no matter how shitty they are. Go figure (the power of a big union to back you up).

Now, if you think life is tough on you as a teacher, I can get you a job tomorrow, with my current employer. But you would get a shocking doze of reality and I'm sure as hell you wouldn't like that. But then again, it might just wake you up enough that you would clue into reality. But then again, reality doesn't seem to be the realm you care much about, or know much about.

So, with all the shitty, whining, complaining, bitching teachers out there, maybe we we should ask ourselves what a good teacher is like? Nevermind asking ourselves; I actually asked my daughter, who is attending highschool "somewhere in the GVRD". Her answer went somewhere along these lines:

"A good teacher is someone who can motivate you. Catch your attention and hold it, through means other than the purely authoritarian ones. Just because you have been bestowed with authority, it doesn't mean you are always right.

A good teacher is engaging and interesting to listen to. They can "connect" with the students. A good teacher will make you happy about going to school. A shitty teacher will increase your chances of becomging a drop-out".

I think those words are worth thinking about for a moment. A long moment. Rather than bitch, complain and whine about everybody else, including the kids...maybe you should take a moment to reflect inwards? Or is that too painful? Does it hurt your pride as a demi-god? Well, I know it's hard to believe, but there actually are other people in this world than just yourself. No matter whether you are a baker or a teacher.

Now truth be told, she did mention two teachers that she "loves and adores", that she really, really likes. But she also mentioned four that....if we had been back in the middle-ages of Europe, would likely have been burned alive on the bonfire. Alright, that one might be a little harsh, but I'm quite sure you catch my point here. As Meatloaf once sang: "Two out of three ain't bad". But if you are down to one out of three...you are not really doing well at all, are you? I'd say you have a lot  of work to do. A mountain to climb. But hey, in another 35 years from now, I'll hopefully be long gone. At least I don't have to listen to any more whining teachers then.

Carpe Diem!

Foot note:

I can't help thinking about the phrase: "Your child has a learning disability". Well, maybe...just maybe...to see the other side of the coin... it's your teacher who has a teaching disability. Just a thought...

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