Preserving the Well Being of Our Teachers

There is no doubt that since the pandemic teachers have been greatly confused, pressured and worried. They are usually concerned about their students on a normal basis but for the past year and few months this concern has increased enormously. Teaching is a profession for the strong-minded, it is for the individuals who refuse to give up on a child and will work hard with them to prove that child’s potential. While doing all this teachers have families of their own, troubles of their own and even children that need special attention. How do they do all this while steering the nation’s children in the right direction? Let us consider the next five tips in helping to preserve the well-being of our teachers during this difficult time.

Accept the feelings they feel- teachers are humans first which means that they exhibit the same emotions we all feel. They are allowed to feel disappointed, they are allowed to feel sad or demotivated because their students are underperforming or feel frustrated because they do not completely understand the workings of the online platform. We must give them time to express the way they are feeling and come up with possible solutions to help them get to a better place. Do not say “it is your job, you chose this life” as we all have complications in our own jobs.

Show them you care –Parents, students and other persons who are looking on can help the teacher to recognize small things that they have done that deserves recognition.Whether they see the effort that has been placed in the lesson so the students could enjoy it while learning or the fact that they are consistently at classes and are readily available no matter the time they are called upon.Teachers like other people thrive on appreciation and the fact that someone else recognizes their effort and encourages them to continue to do what they have been doing. Don’t wait on teacher’s day to show them how much you care.

Talk with them- Being a teacher is so much more than just teaching in the classroom. They often listen to issues of their students, they nurse them and the list goes on. Teachers need someone to talk to, they need support systems and no doubt the school has provided systems for that. However, giving encouragement to a dedicated teacher does not cost a dime and is a good way to build them.

Give them a break- We all get tired and weary at times and so do our teachers. They love their job but sometimes they just need a break. They need time to focus on themselves and to do things they enjoy in their spare time. They need to recuperate so they can be their best selves while teaching their students. Most of the teachers in Jamaica dedicate their weekends to plan ahead for the upcoming week and so time for self-care is heavily impeded. We need to have a conscience and contact them at suitable times like many other professionals we respect. There should always be a clear boundary between home hours and work hours.

Help them to help you- A person cannot be helped if they do not want to be helped. Teachers have gone above and beyond to help students see their true potential. The school environment is not the only environment students are a part of. With a collective effort outsiders can aid teachers in promoting growth within students .This will encourage and reassure students that both the community and teachers care.Teachers will also recognize that their time and effort have not been wasted.

Teachers are the persons who build all other professions we have here today. Let’s pause and recognize their importance to our society and just imagine a world without them. Did someone say total chaos? Yes, indeed! I’ll never forget the motto of The Manning’s School “Vita Sine Litteris Mors Est” which means “Life without Learning is Death.” The education system without teachers would be doomed so let’s help to preserve their well-being today!