TeaChers are in a Class of their own

Re: “Take a minute to thank a teacher” (Allison Hanes, June 26)

As a retired high school English teacher, as well as a current student teacher supervisor for McGill University, thank you for the words of recognition, appreciation and gratitude for the work of teachers in our society.

All too often, teachers are subjected to the flip side of the comments — we have it easy with a short work day, we have summers off, we just babysit, we teach because we can’t “do.”

And let’s not even address the ever-growing difficulties and challenges of teaching at a time when otherwise wellmeaning parents automatically assume it must be the teacher’s fault if their child is not doing well academically.

Mentoring young teachers now, as they are on the road to attaining the skills and qualifications for entering the profession, I am both heartened with their energy, creativity and enthusiasm, and pensive regarding the challenges they will face.

The responsibility is huge — but so is the reward.

No, teaching is not monetarily rewarding, necessarily — but the pleasure of reconnecting with former students who have graduated from university, and who take the time in their busy days to meet in person and to say thank you, is a joy not to be understood unless experienced.

The inner calling to become a teacher cannot be ignored, even when the job market is underwhelming.

These new young teachers need all our support, in order that their days as educators can be productive in helping our children succeed in an ever-changing world.

Maria Navrozidis, Dollard-des-Ormeaux