The Future of Teachers

Once upon a time, teaching was looked upon as a noble profession. There was a real human touch and all teachers had some limit of autonomy in the classroom. Over time things began to slowly change. Here is the story.

Once upon a time, there was a very kind caring third grade teacher who was remembered as Mrs. Kind. She taught all of her students everyday with such passion and enthusiasm. She knew every thing about each student down to the flavor ice cream they liked. She even taught some of her students parents. She had fun with all of her students working on projects and conducting science experiments and even teaching them cursive writing. Her students all loved her. They loved and remembered her so much that they would come back to visit her years later.

As time went by, and we moved into the 21st century, something referred to as "technology" began to come into play in the world of educational learning and teaching. It hit the schools and classrooms hard with a vengeance. It had its pros and cons, but at the same time the manufacturers were seamlessly trying to infiltrate the role of the teacher. Teachers like Mrs. Kind were becoming a rarity and retiring only to be replaced with new ones, but not necessarily human ones.

As Mrs. Kind, was approaching her final years of teaching after a long fruitful career, she was an entity unto her own. One day at the beginning of her last school year, a student appeared in her class a student who needed some extra TLC and her full support. The other students teased him and said that he was dumb. His name was "Ineedyou". An unusual name but yet an old fashioned one at that. After school was dismissed one day, Ineedyou showed up only to ask Mrs. Kind for some help with his work that he was struggling with. He asked her for help with math, reading, and science. Mrs. Kind said I cant personally help you, however, I can set you up on some of our schools newest learning technology programs.

Ineetdyou stamped his feet and replied in a strong voice, I need you not a program or machine to learn! You really help me the best. Then I will be smart and none of the other children will make fun of me. Mrs. Kind sheepishly told to her desperate student,you are lucky to still have me here now until the school year ends. Next year as each of us teachers retire or leave, the politicians say that all teachers will be replaced by robots. They are very advanced, require no pay, and no more need for teachers unions. Then the government will privatize education to be for profit and there you have it in a nutshell.

The moral of this short story, is save the teaching profession and put back the human element that is so lacking today!