Is there a teacher on board this flight?

Soph Murphy

April 11 at 12:47am ·

This is my personal account at 1am, after the most incredible flight home from Sydney on Sunday night. One of my proudest moments in my 20 years of teaching, learning and school leadership. 

Oh my goodness! What a night! I have just arrived home after a crazy but wonderful flight from Sydney. It was so strange as there were so many cranky people on board- it was a late flight and the flight attendants were so patient as people were literally fight with each other- strangers, fighting about where to put their luggage (a totally full flight) and make it all fit.

We were nearly home, I could see the beautiful city of Melbourne. We were getting ready to descend when the captain announced that we couldn't land, as there is was passenger who won't sit in their seat and we can't land if they don't. We began to circle above Melbourne and the cranky fighting passengers were not happy at all, I too was a little worried as to what the issue was???

The captain then asked if there was any teachers, particularly special needs teachers on board! I looked at my teacher friend sitting next to me and thought, what? Not a doctor... But a TEACHER! I thought I was dreaming! Could this be so? I jumped up and said yes proudly and went to the back of the plane. The most beautiful teenage boy who had special needs (Down Syndrome) was lying on the floor in the middle of the aisle. His family were so caring but beside themselves that they couldn't move him- he was itchy, scared and feeling so unwell. I lay down on the floor with him- meanwhile dead silence on the plane and we were still circling!

I said to him that I was a teacher and asked him what his favourite things were, starting with, 'what is your favourite book?', he replied 'Winnie the Pooh', I said 'Wow! That is my favourite too!' and proceeded to ask if would I could sit next to me and hold my hands. He said he felt so sick and I said I'd stay with him up on his seat and hold his hands as I was so excited to make a new friend and sit next to him. He was absolutely delightful!

We then sat down together and his brother moved to the front of the plane in my seat as it was a totally full flight- luckily my beautiful friend Kerry (also a teacher) was there to calm him as he was worried about his brother on the aisle. The little boy was on his seat but wanted to get back to the floor and toilets and started throwing up and I asked the passengers around me for spew bags- it was like a sea of helpful souls- suddenly the cranky plane was so helpful and supportive of this beautiful boy who was feeling sick, scared and overwhelmed. We talked and talked and talked about all of his favourite things until we landed. He was so lovely and the poor thing threw up in the bags his sister and I held for him. We both patted him and I kept saying how proud I was of him and looking outside at the beautiful Melbourne lights with him looking at the different colors he could see and which colours were his favourite.

His lovely mum and dad were sitting on the seats opposite and were smiling, teary and nodding. The gorgeous Jetstar team were so grateful that a teacher was on board and we could land. I felt so proud to be a teacher and meet a beautiful little boy (and get home too). How absolutely wonderful that someone thought outside the box and asked for a teacher on board. All teachers have incredible skills to assist not only our students. The passengers were delightful in their comments of how proud they were of teachers everywhere. I love being a teacher!

This is my first year not teaching in a school full time, but doing a PhD under the mentorship and supervision of wonderful Professor John Hattie at the University of Melbourne. I feel so lucky to work with innovators and educators as a Research Fellow at the SLRC-  Science of Learning and Research and Centre at the University of Melbourne this year, lecture in the M-Teach program at the University of Melbourne, work with teachers and schools to bring together research and practice. I love my job and research.  

However, today, tomorrow and always - I am proud to be a teacher and will always be a teacher!

As John Hattie would say...

'Know Thy Impact'

I think about this daily and hope to inspire all to teach and teach all to inspire...

When stuck or if you need help- just ask a teacher! They ALL have amazing skills and knowledge.

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