“Senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless” – these are not words found in a youngster’s report last term, though many may feel they would be entirely apt! No, these are words recorded almost two thousand years ago (in Paul’s letter to the Romans, 1:31) to describe the state of mankind. They are strong words, for sure, and we might be tempted to add a few more ourselves: careless, tactless, fearless, listless, restless, lifeless, reckless, thoughtless, lawless….
When it comes to teaching the young people of today, our relentless efforts to instil countless examples of limitless suggestions might appear a pointless exercise in the groundless belief that our fruitless attempts to change their hopeless situation will produce peerless work. We may well be rendered speechless, toothless, witless, useless and ultimately pointless, if we ourselves do not learn an important lesson on ‘less’. In short, in seeking a seamless transition from the introduction above to the main point now, our schools will flourish and our pupils will thrive, regardless of the economy and other potential obstacles, if what we provide through our teaching is nothing less than the best.
Firstly, if what we offer is PRICELESS then there will always be a demand for it. If what we offer is so powerful, so inspiring, so enriching, then parents will know that they cannot afford not to have it for their child. We might remember the numerous commercials which used this tag-line, including the one with a six-year-old girl that said: “New trainers for your child (to help her play basketball and win a college scholarship): $50 – Books (to help her learn her ABCs and become a best-selling author): $35 – Globe (so she can learn her continents which will come in handy when she is President): $20 – Remembering to take it one day at a time: Priceless!” The advertisement in itself can be deemed priceless! Parents do pay a significant price for their child’s education in our schools but our task is to ensure it is priceless – and money cannot buy that ability. We as teachers have to work at it, commit to it, train for it, think about it and move with it. If it makes a difference for the good of the children, then it is priceless.
Secondly, if what we offer is TIMELESS then there will always be a demand for it. The Curriculum may change with time, teaching resources may change with time, but the heart of our teaching and the effect that our teaching has should not change over time. We may think of ‘timeless’ as us not having enough time to cover the work but in truth it relates to teaching that is never out-dated, never ageing. Mark Twain, the author, once said that, “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” Our teaching does matter and we must mind! We need to remember to take it one day at a time. What we teach must be able to stand the test of time; it should be good for yesterday, today, forever. It remains highly relevant. We all want and need that timelessness.
We need to focus on such targets in our teaching; quite simply, we need to ensure our teaching is priceless and timeless. This may appear a thankless task requiring tireless effort. Let me therefore, on behalf of your Board and your parent body, thank you for the selfless and matchless difference you are making in your pupils’ lives. No amount of money can buy that!
