For the past year, most parents around the world have stepped into the role of teacher for their child. They've spent time at home trying to work out how to be a parent and a teacher at the same time, juggled the kids and their inability to concentrate and they've muddled through the best they can. Home educators have thrived because the world is no different for them (exceptions being getting out and about, of course). Most parents can collectively draw a breath when their children go back to school and it's not just because their dual role as parents and school teacher have ended. It's because for the first time in a long time, teachers are going to be able to educate their children again. To a parent, teachers are superheroes.
Teachers actively pursue a career in educating children of all kinds, and they make it their vocation to mould and educate, have patience and offer guidance, give confidence and courage. Teachers work more than the standard school hours, often taking work home with them so that they can mark the work they are handed by children, to plan the days ahead. Teachers are not taking months and months off through the year to sit at home and do nothing. They're making plans for the children they teach and they're buying writing supplies and school headphones to equip their classrooms and their kids properly. Teachers are decorating their classes ready to engage and make learning fun for their children. Have you noticed all the work that your child's class teacher is putting in just to show up every day?
A teacher learns the names of every single child that they teach and they work hard to ensure that children are all working to their potential - and they KNOW the potential of every child that they teach. Teachers are more than just educators, and we've got some of the reasons that your child's teacher is a superhero - an underpaid and underappreciated superhero!
Teachers Inspire
Have any of your children come home with a big smile on their face happy to tell you all about their day? Have you seen the shine of knowledge on your children's faces as they show you artwork and poetry, number work and songs they've written? All of that joy and that sheer creativity is boxed up and given to your children in the form of inspiration. Children are boosted and uplifted, praised and put on a pedestal and made to feel like they are the most important person in the room - because of their teacher. During those school hours, this knowledgeable, happy and energetic human being is the shining hero in the eyes of your child, and that's how it should be. Your child's teacher is an inspiration to them, and it's just the first reason!
Teachers Care
On top of imparting all of the knowledge that they have, teachers really do care about the kids in their classroom. They see the break ups and make ups of friendships and they see the self-doubt. Teachers will soothe tears, salve wounds and boost confidence for every single child that comes their way. They care very deeply for your child and they are bleeding hearts, wearing every emotion on their sleeve so that they can model this to your child. Teachers are a huge part of shaping your child's personality, and the big hugs and tearful goodbyes at the end of the year are all very real. Teachers love your child and their biggest wish is to see them succeed.
Teachers Are Patient
Oh, the patience of teachers is something that every single parent envies! Parents are often guilty of being more impatient than most, but teachers have the time and the energy to listen to the random stories and to hear everything that your child says. They explain feelings and impart discipline that is patient and consequential. Parents can often do the same, of course, but imagine trying to parent 30 children at once? Yep, that's what your child's teacher is doing! They are balancing childhood arguments and childhood angst with teaching them to count, to write and read. They're talking your children through the scary feelings that they are experiencing and are doing it with the utmost patience!
Teachers Are Calm (Kind Of)
When parents are frazzled the kids often know about it. They see us panicking and worried and we can't help it - we're human. However, teachers seem to have a superhuman ability to hold in their own anxiety and panic and are able to be a font of knowledge while remaining as calm as the ocean on a day without breeze. Teachers have eyes on all of the kids in the classroom and they can still remain calm in what they're doing. It's staggering how they can spin so many plates and still manage to teach the next lesson, it really is!
Teachers Encourage
It doesn't matter what the ambition of a child is, a teacher will encourage it. If a little girl wants to be a builder, their teacher is going to guide them the right way. The same can be said if he wants to be a ballet dancer. Whether your child is four or fourteen, they look to their teachers for guidance and encouragement, and this is something that will influence them their whole lives. We all remember that one teacher that said that one thing that resonated with us and it's those teachers that stick with us for the rest of our lives.
Teachers Discipline
The stare. Do you remember the teachers at your school that had "the stare" nailed down? We all had at least one teacher that could quiet a classroom as soon as they walked into the room. It's not that the teacher was evil or nasty, but they had a presence and everyone knew the teacher that was not one to mess with. They don't beat kids with sticks (anymore!) but they do know how to teach children that actions have consequences in a way that is natural. Teachers know how to discipline without raising their voice and in a way that is impactful for a lot of children.
Teachers Are Role Models
So many children grow up to study teaching because of the inspiration from one particular teacher that they have. Teachers become the best role models as a result and they are excited to show your children what they could be doing one day. If your child wants to be a teacher, you can bet that there is a particular teacher who has inspired them that way.
Teachers Have Unlimited Belief
It doesn't matter how difficult the child finds learning, teachers have unlimited belief in the children that they teach. They believe that there is good in every student and they will do all they can to draw out the magic from them. Teachers aren't afraid to take the best from the kids they work from and mould them into someone amazing. Even when students can't see it themselves, the teachers see the potential - it's a superpower!
Teachers Always Help
It doesn't matter whether a child comes to them about a problem in a lesson or a problem in life, teachers are trusted. They are able to help a student but more than that, they can help parents. If parents want to learn new techniques to help their children to learn, they ask their child's teacher and do what they can to meet the needs of their kids. Teachers are always there to help and will support families with anything going on in life.
Teachers Spark A Love Of Learning
Even the laziest and uninterested children will feel excited to learn and it's all because of your child's teachers. They spark a total love of all things education and they help to gently guide children toward wanting to ask questions. They make learning magical for a child to keep them engaged and interested. Do you have any idea how hard that is? To keep thirty kids engaged and excited? But they do it - your child's teacher is doing it! They are shaping future leaders, supporting future athletes and picking out the potential even when we can't see it!
Teachers Change The World
For every single child they educate, for every single child they buy lunch for, for every single poster on the walls crafted by a teacher, a teacher is changing the world. Children are clay to be moulded and when a teacher takes the time to help a child to learn, they mould the clay a little more. Children believe in the power of their students and they don't dismiss dreams. They take the dreams of a child and give them a pathway to come true. Teachers see a child as a blank canvas and they feel a surge of excitement every time that blank page is written on, inspired and impacted with knowledge.
If you ever want to know what it's like to be a true superhero - ask a teacher how their day was. Watch them light up because they helped, they taught and they nurtured.
