The True Calling of a Teacher
John Thompson discusses in Common Sense some of the difficulties of the blame game that schools, society and parents play with regard to student behavior problems. The issue at stake is the disciplining of students – with common sense “old school” methods as well as with new experimental reform methods.
He quotes Eric Carlton, the president of a group of alternative school in Chicago, as saying that the “social and emotional issues are hardly considered at their schools because the staff is so overwhelmed”. This needs to be addressed in every school across the nation and around the world. Who is at fault is not as important as who is stepping up to the plate to meet the needs of these students.
Somebody needs to meet the social and emotional needs of the children filling the schools. If those needs are not being met at home, then shame on parents and they will eventually pay the price. But if teachers are not stepping up to fill that void, then shame on them as well, and they will pay as well. While many teachers may claim that they are only there to teach basic education – reading, writing, math and science – there is so much more to a teacher’s job.
Every teacher needs to think of a way to reach out to each student in the classroom. Anita Voelker once said that her goal as a teacher was to make every individual student feel like he or she had a special connection with her as the teacher. Finding that special connection, meeting the needs of students on a deeper level than reading and writing, that is the calling of a teacher.
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- Social Media and Education
- The Role of Social Media in Education
- How to Teach: Secrets from a Tutor
- During Reading Strategies
- Understanding ADHD Stimulants
