Reframing the Narrative Concerning Teachers' Day

“A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning.”- Brad Henry • Teachers Day tends to evoke a number of emotions. Some teachers are overly excited, perhaps from the gifts they anticipate, while for other teachers it is just another day. The intent of the day is rather admirable. However, the day has evolved into more of a distraction regarding the plight of teachers as well as attending problems facing the teaching profession rather than an occasion to celebrate. Except for a few societies, teaching as a profession has lost a significant amount of respect over the years. The status of teachers, especially the economic status of teachers has rendered many in the profession as working poor. Many teachers live from paycheck to paycheck. Many teachers are only one paycheck away from being homeless or destitute. The plight of teachers is appalling. A sore point pertaining to teachers is that of remuneration. In many instances teachers are forced to go on industrial action in order for governments to pay a little attention to them. Regrettably, many teachers are not qualified to purchase a home from the National Housing Trust. Many teachers cannot afford to live in the parish where they work. Affordable housing is just a theory for many. The cost of health care is also prohibitive for many teachers. If the government is serious about elevating the status of teachers a number of intervention programmes can and should be implemented. What about having a special housing programme for public school teachers? This programme would offer lower interest rates to teachers to purchase a first home. In fact, this special rate could be duplicated to teachers who need a loan to purchase a car. Sadly, many teachers become hypertensive after years of working in such a high stress job. These small actions would go a far way in making teachers feel appreciated and valued. Sadly, many teachers become hypertensive after years of working in such a high stress job. Teachers also need to be aware of their mental health wellness. We often tend not to remember that our mental wellness directly impacts our physical well-being. Teachers deserve a livable wage. Different Perspectives. Teachers Day is viewed differently also by parents. Parents of pre-teenagers are perhaps more genuinely caring in terms of how they show their appreciation and celebrate teachers. On the other hand, parents of teenagers view teachers’ day more of a duty. Teachers’ day observation has become more of a chore for parents who have children at the secondary level of the education system. In most instances the day is an afterthought. Unfortunately, this uncaring attitude is pervasive and permissible throughout the society. The disrespect meted out to teachers is not only from the students. There was a time when certain topics would not be discussed in the presence of a teacher. Well, those days are gone. Administration and those who set policies are obnoxious, unprofessional and dismissive of the concerns and plights of teachers. The teachers union does not get a pass card. Over the years the trade union has become weakened. Many classroom teachers are of the opinion that the trade union gives better representation to principals than the teachers. However, there should be no surprises here as the same union that represents teachers ought not to represent principals. This is just a no brainer. Seismic Shift . Undoubtedly, the profession has lost its glory days. Is there anything being done to restore the profession to its pinnacle among professions? Your guess is as good as mine. Unfortunately, teachers are not themselves blameless for this state of the profession. Some of us have been unprofessional and continue to act in this manner. Too often some of us have compromised our integrity. Recently, a principal of a St. Ann based high school was asked to resign by the school's board after the conclusion of investigations concerning the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) examination fraud at the school. The examination coordinator at the institution was also asked to resign and yet a third teacher at the same institution was demoted. The reality is the teaching profession is at an all time low. Many teachers have detached themselves from a system which over the years has morphed into an uncaring and politicized structure in order to survive. Feminization of Teaching. Teaching is viewed as a form of nurturing. In fact some will argue that teaching is an extension of motherhood or the domestic sphere of womanhood. As a result more and more men have left the profession over the years. Teaching of young children is considered as a ‘soft option’ when it comes to a job in the public domain (Groskop 2006). School teaching has long been believed and thought of as a woman’s profession and job because working with children was associated with child‐care rather than teaching (Skelton 2009). School teaching has been seen as a suitable job for women who perpetuate the traditional stereotype that women, and not men, are responsible for young children (Oyler et al. 2001). The feminization of the teaching profession over the years is also problematic. This shift has resulted in lower remuneration of teachers. In most primary schools male teachers are few, absent and or marginalized. At the secondary level, the concentration of male teachers is at the technical and vocational areas such as auto mechanics, plumbing, electrical installation and woodwork and joinery. The teaching profession is no longer a career path. The paths to a career concerning teaching have become overgrown and are in need of urgent pruning and regeneration. The gender pays gap the difference between the earnings of men and women. There is no single explanation for why progress toward narrowing the pay gap has all but stalled in the 21st century. Women generally begin their careers closer to wage parity with men, but they lose ground as they age and progress through their work lives, a pattern that has remained consistent over time. The pay gap persists even though women today are more likely than men to have graduated from college. The migration of teachers will continue. The mayhem in the society will continue. Teachers are the clue in any society. Research has indicated that women are paid less than men globally. As a result in any profession where women dominate the pay will decrease. Guiding Light. In reframing the narrative concerning teachers’ day there must be a frank and solution-based approach by the necessary stakeholders in order to lift the economic status of teachers. This reframing approach also needs the necessary legislation surrounding the licensing of teachers. Urgent steps are needed to professionalize the teaching profession. Failure to pursue a workable solutions to the issues raised is both a disservice to the profession and indeed disingenuous. The society needs to revisit teachers day and truly make the day about the celebration of teachers. As we observe teachers’ day let us remember that teachers are the guiding lights in a world of chaos helping us to navigate the vast sea of knowledge. Let us also remember to take the necessary time out for self-care as it is critical to our well-being so we will be better able to cater to our students needs. Let us also lobby for global governments to do better as it relates to the working conditions and remuneration of teachers. Undoubtedly, teachers deserve our unwavering support and appreciation not just today, but every day. Thank you, teachers, for your immeasurable contributions to nation building. In the words of Ever Garrison, teachers are the compasses that activate the magnets of curiosity, knowledge, and wisdom in the pupils. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #teacherappreciationday #teachersday