Voices
Pay attention to our teachers – they’re critical
Education is highly regarded in Jewish culture, and Jews invented the first school. (It can’t therefore be easy for those who suffer from learning disabilities. Fortunately those of us with attention deficit disorder and other learning disabilities are no longer considered stupid and discouraged from achieving success.)
Martin Zagnoev, Johannesburg
We have all been profoundly influenced by our teachers. It’s arguably the most important profession, and has a direct influence on the world.
Japan, where teachers are considered an elite and are well paid, sets a good example.
In a perfect world, those who are accepted into this vital profession would be carefully screened, as is the case with psychologists. Only those who love children, are positive and well balanced, should be accepted.
As with psychologists, they should have to undergo ongoing self-improvement courses. However, existing teachers mustn’t be made to feel that they are being harshly judged.
In Grade One, we had a teacher who positively glowed with love towards us children. She was an old Dutch woman who had saved Jews from the Nazis during World War II.