What makes a teacher great?

They turn up, day in day out, despite the odds against them.

There must be days when they feel they have chosen the right career path. Moments when it all seems worthwhile, but I wonder how many moments like that there are?  Kind words from a parent, a pat on the back from a superior/colleague, a child who has been struggling with something and then ‘ gets it’, a thank you.

These people do not go home at 3.30 pm and enjoy endless stress-free wholesome holiday breaks.

There are lessons to plan, homework to be set, and piles of books to mark. A board of governors to contend with, endless assessors sitting in to criticise and disgruntled parents  to appease. Then there may be  a head teacher who is not supportive? Professional development courses to attend..

.. and that’s on top of the daily teaching of a class that may or may not be attentive or even want to be there. There are strugglers who need extra help, maybe the bright kids who become easily bored and then disruptive and, importantly, the children they worry about.

Plus, the teachers have their own personal lives, maybe medical issues and  difficulties they have to push to one side.

They need to be patient and kind, nurturing and enthusiastic every single day.

It’s a big ask to put all this pressure on their shoulders.