We have been told a lot that teachers are held to a higher
standard. It is true whether we accept it or not. But, on the other hand, we
are people too. We are people that have feelings, lives, families, friendships,
and hobbies. We are held to a different standard though and we are unfairly
expected to give up some behaviors that are harmless to the average person but
frown upon as a teacher.
I will use Alcohol as an example. If you listen to a teacher
talk about alcohol, it would be fascinating to hear what they say. Phrases like
– “I never buy alcohol in the town I live or teach,” or, “I drive 30 miles to a
liquor store,” or, “I never have a beer for dinner, there is too much of a
chance that a student or a parent seeing me and telling,” flow freely and
often. But why? Why is consuming alcohol deemed an unfavorable behavior for a
teacher when it is acceptable for others?
Obviously, everyone knows the answer to that one. It is a behavior
that is associated with deviant behavior and lawlessness and a person with no self-control.
It is practically a sin and every person that has anything to do with children
should be as dry as the desert when it comes to drinking alcohol. It is of the
devil!
Well, I disagree. My wife shakes her head at me because I
will have a beer for dinner sometimes or I will walk into a liquor store in the
town I work to buy a bottle. Sacrilege! Do I have to explain why or if I am
right in buying it? No. I don’t have to explain anything. I am a person and a
human being and a citizen in this country. I am over 21 and am fully lawfully able
to buy alcohol for myself.
And I am bound by the same laws to be responsible with consuming
it.
As a teacher, I will add one more caveat to this. I am a
role model. I don’t mind and I take that part of my job extremely serious. I
feel it is unreasonable to hold a teacher to a standard of not consuming
alcohol. It is not right. We are people with more stress than the average
person and we need a chance to relax and unwind. We need to be social and be
part of our non-school families. On the other hand, we need to model the
moderation and behavior of wise consumption of alcohol. Getting inebriated and
acting a fool is not good role modeling. Having one brew for a whole dinner and
walking out an hour later fully in control of oneself is good to see.
So, when you see a teacher that is out and about, take care
to not judge them too harshly. Sometimes it is hard to put your game face on as a teacher.
We are people. We have hard lives sometimes just like anyone else. Be
empathetic and generous to us with your interaction. We are people and that
sometimes is ignored with quick judgment and fast accusations.
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