When A High School Teacher Mocked Me For Teaching Preschoolers

The author, a preschool teacher, was hurt when a higher secondary teacher from a reputed school derided her choice of teaching preschoolers. Here's how the preschool teacher's father reassured her to follow her passion, no matter what.

The author, a preschool teacher, was hurt when a higher secondary teacher from a reputed school derided her choice of teaching preschoolers. Here’s how the preschool teacher’s father reassured her to follow her passion, no matter what.

Recently, an unpleasant opinion from a higher secondary teacher bruised my ego. I am a preschool teacher by choice and, this respected teacher who is a higher secondary teacher in a reputed school in a big city, passed a snide remark on my choice to teach preschoolers and that there is no big deal in handling preschoolers. I maintained my silence, although I was hurt. Considering I have great respect for every teacher at each level in the field of education, I felt a fury seethe within me and thankfully, my emotions poured out in front of my parents who sat back watching their only daughter preparing her thoughts for a manic and a futile argument with the teacher, at a later stage.

I am a preschool teacher by choice and, this respected teacher who is a higher secondary teacher in a reputed school in a big city, passed a snide remark on my choice to teach preschoolers and that there is no big deal in handling preschoolers.

Now, knowing that my head was not in a good space and all good advice was to fall on deaf ears, my father wrote this down and messaged it to me later to read it. And as I read this, I found my cool again. Also, I decided that his words had to be shared!

“My daughter is very proud of being a pre-primary teacher and of teaching preschoolers, though she has been one only since three months. So, her pride was bruised when a three decade old and experienced higher secondary teacher passed a crude remark on how handling pre primary is easy and does not require efforts like that of hers.

My visibly angry daughter was now preparing her mind for a volcanic argument with the teacher who also happens to be her aunt. So, I have to share my thoughts with my daughter.

My dear daughter,

Those who teach pre-primary and primary provide the foundation and the required base for the child. Those who teach secondary and higher classes provide structure and super structure, which obviously cannot be made without foundation. Each requires a different skill set and has its place in the world.

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Super structure falling is not uncommon. But, foundation failing is rare and serious. So, decide whose job is important. Foundation, which is the base, signifies the strength is not visible. So, it is not appreciated and is therefore taken for granted. But super structure is visible and signifies beauty and hence is accredited all the time.

Foundation, which is the base, signifies the strength is not visible. So, it is not appreciated and is therefore taken for granted. But super structure is visible and signifies beauty and hence is accredited all the time.

To understand the importance and the associated efforts for building the foundation requires intelligence and wisdom, a rare combination that many may not possess.

So, my dear child, do your job with undiminished passion and love. That will give peace and satisfaction in the long run. You never have to explain to anyone about why you do what you love to do. Not every argument needs a closure.”

Yes! Amen to that!

Image via Shutterstock.

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About the Author

Narayani Karthik

A software engineer in the past, a content writer, an amateur blogger, an avid reader and traveler, an engaging conversationalist, an army wife, a pre school teacher and importantly, an incurable optimist! read more...

32 Posts | 106,557 Views

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