Great teachers are wasted on the young

An extremely moving experience earlier this evening - much better than any uplifting movie about a teacher and his/her classroom.

Represented on stage were more than 340 years of teaching experience from a single school.

Our school (my boys', that is) is now 46 years old. This year one of the earliest teachers retires after 43 years. Last year another retired after 28 years.

Anyway, this evening there was celebration of the careers of 17 teachers who have given at least 20 years of service to the school. Amazingly one can find about 10 of them still on campus many days, some still teaching the full 5 periods a day.

A couple thoughts on the way home.

1. A few blog posts back I commented that these days teachers need a bit of a thick hide to endure the criticism being heaped on them as representatives of the contemporary educational system.

But today was different. One after the other, alums recalled memories of these wonderful teachers (going back even to kindergarten , 1st and 2nd grades) and the effects they had in shaping individual lives. One alumnus recalled the three teachers who taught him in 'P2' who collectively had 96 years between them. It was really remarkable what stood out in their minds about the value of their education.

And I realized that for teachers the satisfaction of a job well done comes so much later, and softly, and personally. The spotlight that shown on those teachers today probably lights up like that only a few times in their entire career.

2. The second thought has to do with the fame and prestige accorded to teachers as professionals. For the most part individuals who are success stories in their fields get accustomed to a certain amount of awe and deference that accompanies them in their professional lives - especially when they travel. Maybe this happens for teachers too within their professional community, but I am not so sure.

However, for the children and their parents, this is the first time they are in 3rd grade, and this is this year's assigned 3rd grade teacher. Sure, he or she may be wonderful with the children, and they in turn really, really like school. But at the end of the day she is just another teacher.

We (the children and parents) so very rarely get to hear introspective, well articulated thoughts on the effect that this particular teacher had on someone who is now 20 years older. And even if we did, would it make much difference?

For we are filled with all the arrogance and impatience of youth, and we hardly even know it.