Dear Editor,
You are bestowed three weeks of vacation for Christmas, two weeks for Easter and almost the entire July and August (some say summer, but the writer refrains from doing so, as she knows for a fact that Guyana is in the tropics and is not governed by seasonal changes as temperate countries). What is even better is that we are paid to do nothing during this time. You can go wherever we like and do whatever we like during these school breaks. It’s not a working vacation as some teachers may tell you. Not convincing enough to join this noble profession?
Well, just imagine waking up, getting dressed and showing up to work looking smart. Besides this, absolutely no preparation is required. All you are expected to do is give instructions to students who will listen to you simply because you are a teacher. They will never give you a hard time or even question what you say. Why, even the parents are 100% supportive. Additionally, the government provides all the resources you need to do your job and so you never have to spend a dime from your own pocket. The entire staff is as enthusiastic as you are about teaching, they are all trained and the education system itself allows for professional growth by promoting creativity and efficiency rather than traditional bureaucracy.
Also, in the matter of teaching, there is no need to get attached to your students. Treat them as clients who you are just doing a job for- no need to think about their future, to care about their aspirations, to inspire them to have worthwhile goals, to befriend them and to want the best for them. Just teach from the textbook, you can never go wrong. What is it to you if the content does not suit their reality? And if a few still don’t get it, you are not expected to differentiate your instruction while preparing them for standardized tests. If they pass or fail, it is never your fault. You need not stress yourself about them if they are struggling and failing subject after subject after subject. That would keep you up at nights! No need to reflect on your own teaching strategies and do research to improve any situation. So, year after year, you will be the same “ideal” teacher. Who needs change anyway?
Oh, did I mention that you work for less hours daily as opposed to other government workers? And, that the government provides scholarships to teachers so that they can get their Bachelors? How about the fact that half of what you learn at College and University is not applicable to your profession by virtue of the policies, or rather lack of effective policy, embedded in the education system? You are told to be the change yet when you challenge the norm you are shushed.
Allow me to entice you to teach in an interior location. Man, they are priority at least where the government is concerned. They receive the best of everything and right on time. If you can function at any of these schools and perform, remember that your performance is entirely dependent on your students’ achievements, you are a boss. Additionally, with the advent of technology, everything is structured in such a way that you hardly ever have to physically leave the community to hand in physical documents. Many thanks to the high-speed internet provided to these areas and the lack of a ridiculous paper trail that is required. So, you will never have to miss a day or two of work to attend to these matters. This works well as your students do need you in the classroom. Maybe I should call a specific place in Berbice that is not even on the map that supposedly shows all the schools in the district at the Ministry. You will never be forgotten. You are priority after all!
Enticing isn’t it?
Maybe you are already a teacher and you didn’t need any sort of convincing. Maybe you aren’t and couldn’t be convinced. That is completely understandable.
To teachers: Thank you for working your hearts off at this job of yours. It can be a challenge at times and if you are a fighter it will be rather stressful at times. I know. However, I also know that even if you inspire just one student that you have accomplished much. Sometimes, it isn’t so much about their grades (albeit this is important) as it is about the persons they have become or are becoming. Maybe you made them smile or laugh and just for a brief moment their world seemed lighter and brighter. It does drain your energy at times, but I implore you to recharge and come again. Happy Holidays.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address supplied)
