The Legacy of Teaching

The powerful influence of educators

Before I start, these aren't the ramblings of a narcissistic self-publicist, this is genuine attempt to illustrate the impact one human being can have on another - in particular teachers on students. On Tuesday March 9th, whilst sat watching TV my phone buzzed with a notification and I looked down to see a message from a student I used to teach thirty five tears ago. It was unsolicited & I did not expect it but he had seen one of my posts on social media.

I am a great pains to say that I have thought long & hard about writing and posting this brief article as I realise it will look to some as though I am giving myself a great big pat on the back. My genuine motive for publishing this is to illustrate what I believe to be the real purpose of teaching and education at a time when so many are discussing how our children are going to 'catch up'. So many 'experts' are now chiming from their Ivory Towers telling us what children need & what schools should be doing.

Have a read of this & ask yourself -what really matters to a young person, what do they really need, particularly our more vulnerable ones.

Hi Graham, I hope you don’t mind my messaging you. I hope you & you’re family are keeping well during these challenging, crazy times. I read your post the other day and it made me gasp. I am so sorry to hear of your Parkinson's disease condition. I am no doctor or super-specialist consultant, so I don’t bring much to the table here. But I wanted to reach out privately anyway and share my thoughts.

It must have been 1986/87 when I first met you. You burst into the Brookfield School PE changing rooms and it literally changed our worlds overnight. Even back then (and you must’ve only been young), you brought fun, inspirational speeches, a big smile and whilst I can only speak for myself, you brought a positive energy and enthusiasm that made me feel I could achieve whatever I set my mind to. I grew up in my Nana’s council house. I didn’t have a pot to piss in, but I also didn’t have any real ideas or aspirations about my future or escaping that life either. You made us laugh, you made us feel like you really cared, were really interested and you focused on us, highlighted qualities we didn’t know we possessed and you made us confident. 

I feel so lucky to have been taught by the young Graham Moore. You helped to change my whole outlook on life. We’ve had a coffee and bumped into one another quite a few times over the years. Same smiley face, same enthusiastic, positive presence. Graham, you are a unique individual, such a positive force for good. I just wanted to tell you this. I know this condition will bring difficulties and challenges, but I know you will tackle things head on. I can’t offer a cure, only friendship and support. Take good care of you and your lovely family - here if any of you ever need me for anything. x

I hope one day in my lifetime that society finally comes to its senses and realises that our youth need far more than a staple diet of academic input, they need to be given hope, find purpose, pursue ambition & realise their worth & potential. To all you educators out there, I hope this helps you keep the bigger picture at the core of your daily actions and purpose. Thank you for reading, if it helped you please feel free to share.