Everyone who knows me and is not a secondary school teacher is well aware that I have a soft spot in my heart reserved for the educators in my life. Though I complain an awful lot about the IB and everything that relates to it, and though I’m not exactly quick to show signs of adulation towards teachers, I do hold a lot of respect and to some extent even admiration for them. Just don’t run off and tell them I wrote that. I think it will be the death of me somehow (I can already feel some of my fellow IBers poised to throw harmful projectiles at me).
Expect sappiness to follow.
I know, I know…you are probably thinking, “Oh dear, have they finally brainwashed her? Has she gone mad? Does she need to see a doctor? Has she been fully programmed?”
No, I remain critical of some aspects of IB. That is entirely besides the point. My main intention for this post is to express my appreciation for teachers, especially those who I felt have made a significant impact on my learning and ultimately, my choices in this life.
You see, most of my IB teachers did not at the outset of their post-university careers decide to become teachers. They instead pursued other fields, in engineering, diplomacy, law, healthcare, scientific research, etc. They spent some time in these fields, some becoming very successful in their careers. Then at some point, they realise, perhaps through the difficulties of their work or through some other epiphany, that their current career was not the most satisfying–something, in other words, was missing. They then turned to teaching, and in working in education found that they had reached a post in life wherein they were both challenged and satisfied.
As for those who from the outset wanted to be educators, they, too found something equally challenging and satisfying and remained in the education field.
So I attempt here to speak for some of my peers who may not show their appreciation for teachers (or really want to do so) in the hope that they continue to strive for excellence in their students. After all, it is not only the students who require some source of stimulation in learning; from what I’ve seen these past four years, teaching can be as much a challenge of motivation for teachers as learning can be (and has been) for the students. They have all been so remarkably patient with our misgivings as students/learners.
Having said that, I am far from a teacher’s pet. I am sure many of my teachers disapprove of some of the things I do (frequently late homework, if they’re even complete to begin with, questioning them to the point of annoyance, not always paying attention because I am such a spaz, just not living up to my potential in general which is really my own fault, etc.).
It is so difficult to work through the means of something, and to not see the ends until (perhaps) years after your role in a student’s life has ended. It is difficult to overcome minor rigours and rise above them in such a way so as to keep oneself constantly motivated to guide otherwise (and admittedly, coming from me) immature/whiny/sometimes lazy (read: growing) students.
With that said, if you are a teacher, IB or not, I hope you have not lost all faith in us students. We may turn away and stomp our feet in disagreement at your words, but deep in our hearts we do hold respect for you and what you try to accomplish for us.
.
