What makes them great also makes them vulnerable

I've worked with hundreds of teachers, all of whom are very different and so what I write in this blog can never be seen as applying to every member of the teaching profession. I've seen every type of personality and every quality of teaching. Every good teacher makes it work for them in their own way, their personality determines their teaching and so they have their own vulnerabilities.

Here's something to think about. Some teachers appear to be able to put on an "act" in their dealings with children but most with whom I have worked are authentic, their relationships genuinely reflect their personalities. So what type of teacher do want working with 5 year olds or vulnerable teenagers? Do you want detached automatons or teachers who are emotionally engaged? I believe that engagement is at the heart of great teaching and to work with children you have to emotionally connect with them. But at what price? I want sensitive, empathetic staff working with the children in our schools, but does this make them vulnerable to the stresses and strains of teaching?

If we want teachers who can fully engage with vulnerable young people do we require an element of vulnerability in them? Does this then place them at risk?

It is worth remembering that counsellors and social workers who work with children are trained to deal with the emotionally charged turmoil of life. Teachers aren't trained to do this and yet spend their lives at the eye of the hurricane. There is no supervision for teachers (as in the sense of the supervision social workers receive) and so who is there for teachers?

If this assertion is correct, that some (a few or many) teachers are vulnerable precisely because of having a personality that also makes them great teachers, then the emotional well-being of teachers should be a priority for those wanting great teaching.

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