Formation Matters

I was caught completely unawares when talking about career paths with student teachers I was supervising, a couple of years back.  I was told more than once, by promising young teachers, that they had no intention of becoming a teacher after they graduated.  They would use the skills expertise and for something else.
 
In each case I thought the young person had some promise and I told them so.  As it turns out, the workload, the administration demands, the pay, the stress and the lack of appreciation teachers lived with, just didn’t make a teacher’s life attractive.
 
Ironically, these young people also recounted how rewarding they had found their experience working in schools.
 
While I was saddened by this, I also admired their clearheaded pragmatism.  I wondered if their unfolding life journey might one day bring them back to a classroom.
 
These young people had understood some of the things that contribute to good teachers burning-out in their work.  
 
With Covid restrictions easing, I have been talking with school leaders about Formation programmes for the coming new year.  What these leaders see as significant challenges reminded me of my student teachers.  The last two years have added to the stress, complexity and intensification of teachers work.  
 
Formation is about nurturing and sustaining those who use their gifts in the service of education.  Ongoing  Formation creates opportunities for teachers to flourish.  Their work is good and noble.  It’s important to keep perspective.