Teachers as Heroes

This piece looks at teachers as heroic figures (the title is self-explanatory).

Like father like son

Fathers who are good people or accomplished fathers become heroes in the eyes of their young ones. My father was a teacher for 30 years, although, for a child, professions mean diddly squat. As an adult, I respect his work ethic, his achievements in the field (history), and, thanks to hard work and commitment; naturally, I am proud of him. As it happens, teaching stayed in the family as I followed suit. Interestingly, a lot has been written about the father complex and a reactivation of childhood struggles against paternal authority, and following in the footsteps of your father is seen to be flattering to the patriarch. My choice of career came about due to a newly discovered passion for teaching on my part, and no unconscious decision to emulate or seek approval. Nevertheless, my father has always wanted what’s best for me and wishes for me to be happy by doing something I enjoy. As I have been successful at my job, and have stuck with it, I am delighted to report that he is proud of me.

Make history

When I was at school, I was lucky enough to have a teacher who inspired me and was my hero (or heroine in her case). Her name is Mrs Glynn and she taught history at my secondary school. I remember that she was charismatic and had a great affinity for teaching; she knew the material back-to-front and led from the front. There was some room for humour in her lessons, which we all liked, and, we were given the freedom to express our opinions. She made an impression on me and perhaps, as a youngster you can take inspirational teachers for granted. Though, when you have been around the block a few times, only then you can fully appreciate what you once had. Looking back, other students left comments on a school site about how she had both enriched their lives and inspired them when in their teens.

Low in the pecking order

If you believe that society is shaped in a certain way, then you should acknowledge that teachers are not placed at the top of the social scale. Teachers (our heroes) are intrinsic to the very foundations of society that keep it in place and strengthen its standing for the benefit of mankind and future generations. Is there any justification for why teachers are often underpaid? Or why they are disrespected in some corners of the globe? Not to mention how it’s humanly possible that they are taken for granted by management? Lastly, do governments think that future leaders of our countries and our children or grandchildren don’t matter? That’s enough rhetorical questions for now.

So, if we look at an upside-down world, we can see that celebrities who have not achieved anything apart from dumbing down our society, have nothing of substance to provide. CEO’s of large banks, who may be known as fat cats, for example, demand huge bonuses, and continue to take advantage of the system, proving that the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Politicians want votes and are only really interested in staying in power, and they are the ones who allow Universities to charge astronomical fees and are responsible for young people getting into huge debt (in some countries).

In this topsy-turvy world, our heroes are not shown the respect they deserve. If teaching unions were stronger, and those at the top working for the ministry of education and headmasters were teachers and had recent experience in teaching at schools, for example, and not bureaucrats or those out of touch, then perhaps this would help matters. If society rewarded our educators for all the fine work they do, then perhaps there would be more of the right kind of hero-worshipping and less injustice in our world.

Let’s pretend that teachers would be at the top of the hierarchy. In such a world, education would dictate government policy and we could have more funding for necessary research across the board, provide University education without exorbitant fees, and give young people the opportunity to do internships free from debt and without the stress. We could challenge conventions and make sure that nobody would earn too much, we’d protect the environment, disarm nuclear weapons, ban guns, try all war criminals, have a zero- tolerance approach to corruption, and of course, we would give credence to the worth of educators. In this world, we could be sure that our children and grandchildren would have the chance to make something of their lives and could use their brains. Wouldn’t it be nice to live in such a world?