Dear Editor,

It has always been said that teaching is a noble profession, but lately I have to wonder if it is still as noble as it was years ago. Historically, teachers were persons the entire country respected and loved because of the job they performed. People of all ages and rank showed respect to teachers, but that has stopped.

Many teachers are now jumping ship because they are tired. They have lost all the zeal they had for the profession and no longer see it as a worthy one. Teachers now question why they get up every day and go to school. The Government accuses them of not doing a good job, parents blame them when their children fail, and students could care less. We blame teachers for everything; from students’ academic failures to their discipline problems. Every man, woman and child, when asked who is to be blamed for students’ behaviour, is quick to say blame the teachers. And, of course, they are right.

The teacher is to be blamed for staying up late at nights writing lesson plans and making charts. The teacher is to be blamed for getting to school early to supervise the children who arrive at 6:30 am. The teacher is to be blamed for trying to keep the parents informed about the children’s progress. It is the teachers’ fault that the parents do not attend seminars or PTA meetings. How dare a teacher take money out of his or her pocket to buy lunch for the student whose parent did not give him any? Who gave the teacher permission to reprimand students when they are misbehaving? Who does that teacher think she is going into a classroom with 40 boys trying to teach them amidst cat calls and lewd comments?

Teachers do not only teach. They are mothers, fathers, mediators, motivators, friends, counsellors, and so much more, yet they are now being treated as if they are nothing. No one is perfect, and yes, there are teachers out there who are not doing what they should, but to condemn everyone because of the actions of a few is just not fair. Teachers are being slaughtered on a daily basis and no one seems to care. They are no longer appreciated. Are we for real?

I would love to see even one person out there who was not taught by a teacher. We seem to forget that we all went through the hands of numerous teachers in our lifetimes. Teachers who, despite how badly we behaved or how much we fought them, still came day after day just so we could learn something.

How is it that we have reached the point of trying to bully and put down our teachers? What is going to happen to our children when we do that? Please do not be the one who causes our teachers to become discouraged because our children are going to suffer for our actions.

I am one of the few remaining persons who still believe in our teachers. I will forever love and respect them. Thank you, teachers, for continuing to be true heroes despite the fight you receive on a daily basis.

Kenisha Williams

kenishawilliams499@gmail.com