Publish at September 09 2019 Updated October 26 2023
We often remind teachers of their vocation. Indeed, to go into teaching, it seems increasingly necessary to be called by a mission of transmitting knowledge. Because the way it's portrayed in the media and by those who practice it doesn't necessarily inspire hesitancy. Teachers have to juggle the ideals of parents, management and even successive governments. All without asking for more, since school budgets generally remain fairly stable. Finally, they must be able to meet the needs of everyone in the classroom.
No wonder some teachers end up burning out and giving up the profession. Despite a sincere love of teaching, the environment no longer suited them. Among other things, they were no longer able to help all the students with their problems without additional help. This led to burnout.
The profession no longer has the halo it once had or in other countries like Finland, where teaching is subject to quotas. France, Canada and many other countries are experiencing the same problems of recognition and pedagogical battles. In fact, between supporters of more conservative approaches and those more focused on student needs, teachers are caught up in this never-ending debate. As this essayist and teacher of preparatory classes reminds us, the truth may lie somewhere in between.
Not to mention all the responsibilities that teachers put on their backs over the course of a year. What we call the mental load contains various elements such as the search for solutions in one's teaching, unresolved situations, the various communications to be made particularly with information and communication technologies, and so on. Indeed, while digital tools make it possible to build links outside the walls of the classroom, it can be difficult for a teacher not to respond, to give himself or herself the right to rest. After all, "who knows if a student doesn't have an urgent need?"
Yet this weighs heavily on education professionals. And even up-and-coming ones like the graduates of the Espé (renamed Inspé in September 2019). Admittedly, internships have given them an insight into realities and taught them to develop flexibility. Nevertheless, when they graduate, they don't know what kind of class they'll be in, what course they'll be teaching, and so on. This adds to the precariousness and uncertainty of young teachers, who are often catapulted to where the need is greatest.
Faced with this long list of negative aspects, many potential teachers may feel discouraged. Nevertheless, perhaps it's worth remembering that an "ideal teacher" is above all someone who possesses a natural curiosity and is able to share it with others. So, strictly speaking, there are no miracle recipes for success with all students. Passion arouses passion in others.
And to be able to share this thirst for learning, teachers need to be able to free themselves from their mental load. Agreeing to let go from time to time is not a sign of a bad teacher. On the contrary, giving yourself time to recharge your batteries can even make it easier to find solutions to problems when you come back to them later.
It also means getting rid of, among other things, injunctions that everyone intrinsically shares, but which contribute to burnout. For example, the need to have a calm classroom at all times, to be constantly appreciated by students, to adapt to everyone, and so on. We mustn't ignore children's problems and fail to find solutions. But why put yourself under enormous pressure to adjust your teaching to each child? In this respect, moreover, technological approaches offer adaptable modules in which the teacher acts as a guide to each individual in his or her process.
It's possible to be a good teacher without being the ideal model everyone's looking for. On the contrary, these imperfections make teachers more human and therefore more accessible to students, even the most recalcitrant. Greater recognition of this role by public authorities and the general public would be a significant plus. Education professionals would do well to learn, at times, to let go if they don't want to end up giving up teaching.
Illustration: NeONBRAND on Unsplash
References
Canard, Erwin. "Une Année à L'école Des Profs : "J'ai Peur Pour L'année Prochaine"." L'Etudiant. Last updated July 12, 2018. https://www.letudiant.fr/etudes/3es-cycles-et-masters/une-annee-a-l-ecole-des-profs-j-ai-peur-pour-l-annee-prochaine.html.
"How Not To Be An Ideal Teacher And Avoid Burnout." Vocation Enseignant. Last updated May 3, 2019. https://vocationenseignant.fr/comment-ne-pas-etre-un-prof-ideal-et-eviter-le-burn-out/.
"Délégaisser Ses élèves Ou Sa Santé, Le Dilemme Malheureux De Bien Des Enseignantes." Radio-Canada.ca. Last updated: October 29, 2018. https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1132629/enseignants-classes-eleves-primaire-epuisement-travail.
"La Charge Mentale Des Enseignants." Espaceprof. Last updated: May 12, 2019. http://www.espaceprof.com/la-charge-mentale-des-enseignants/
Lemoine, Laurence. "Qu'est-ce Qu'un Bon Prof?" Psychologies.com. Last updated May 6, 2019. https://www.psychologies.com/Famille/Grandir/Scolarite/Articles-et-Dossiers/Qu-est-ce-qu-un-bon-prof.
"Sois Prof Et Tais-toi?" France Culture. Last updated: April 24, 2019. https://www.franceculture.fr/emissions/la-grande-table-2eme-partie/sois-prof-et-tais-toi.
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