Quarantine questioned my credibility

"Those who can – do. Those who can’t – teach."

"Teachers are overpaid."

"Teachers have a lot of extra time during the day."

"Teachers build up a tolerance for every germ and virus and do not get sick after teaching a few years."

and the most common one “Teaching is easy." are some of the common myths about the teaching profession.

Teaching is selfless and the mother of all professions but when it comes to giving the due credit we always resist. We need to remember that what we are today is because someone taught us the lessons either of book or life. The biggest challenge in teaching is consistency which is hard to match at times. Age, Generation gaps, Digital interface, superfluous teaching methods play a significant role in the making of a teacher. During COVID-19 teaching professionals were hit by new challenges of virtual classrooms. This concept of the online virtual classroom impacted the lives of many accomplished and experienced teachers as they were digitally incompetent.

Can you imagine the trauma of a teacher in her 50's who has a vast experience in her subject but doesn't know how to spread this knowledge through digital means? No, you can't as now her knowledge is less credible base on new standards of teaching. Her entire career, credibility, experience and contribution is being questioned because she can't press some buttons of the keyboard. MS Office is a nightmare for her.

This all may sound bizarre but in reality, the digital interface has made both students and parents question the teachers. Many incidents have been reported where teachers refused to work due to the constant pressure of being judged and ill-treated. This behaviour against a teacher in an open forum is unethical and has created an unhealthy environment around the profession. 

Our elder teachers are not incapable. We must understand that adapting new things and maintaining pace is harsh on them and their family lives. If a teacher can't run a virtual class smoothly it doesn't mean she can't teach at all. We need to sensitize ourselves as what teachers are doing is extremely commendable and they are also putting everything on a stake in here for the future of our children.

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