Monique and hope

Maybe you have witnessed teachers being bitter towards their students or when talking about their job. As a new teacher I've met way too much experienced teachers talking sh*t about everything education-related and they are sometimes also trying to discourage me.

Not liking your job is okay, sometimes things change and don't match your mentality anymore. But wanting everyone else to feel the same way is pure evil. But don't get me wrong: a lot of things are bad in the education field in France, mainly administrative and hierarchy things. Still, people should help new teachers and show them how this job can be incredible in so many ways.

I was lucky to meet Monique during my first year of teaching. She was an old maths teacher, she was only 6 months close to being retired and - believe me - she had seen a lot. She was clearly this old lady who could have been bitter about everything, teaching a subject nearly no students like and wanting only to reach retirement age. But she was not. For me she was hope.

I would have loved to talk with her for hours about education, but I was too shy and I didn't want to bother her with my beginner questions. But I watched her arrived at school every morning, determined like a warrior and eager to work with her students. She never complained about the break being too short or about class councils and meetings we had.

Of course she complained about students' attitudes and lack of commitment, she was demanding with them. But she was always happy to help them, she was always trying her best to make things clear for them and adapt work to their liking.

I admire her so much for her bravery, she symbolized the amazing job that teaching is when you love it. Without knowing it she helped me getting through hard times because I listened to her stories about complex students and situations and I learned a lot from her. She gave me motivation and determination and I hope I'll be as happy as her when I'll be an old teacher myself.

Monique loved her job every minute she did it and she worked hard for each student she had. She deserves to enjoy her retirment well and with this article I want to pay tribute to her.

Thank you very much for your time and your attention !

Fetilon~