And Any Other Required Duties

What does that sentence really mean?  Every teacher has read it on their contract and we assume that means morning duty, dance duty etc but this week I have thought a lot about that sentence.  As a high school teacher we do a lot that is not listed as a duty on our contract.  Prom is coming up the end of the month and each year somehow I end up in the middle of Promposals or someone that wants a date or wants a date with someone.  This year I ended up with the job of stopping a promposal to avoid public embarrassment when a student was going to say no. Guess that is “other required duties”.   Last week I noticed one of my students standing in the hall looking in my door with a desperate look.  I go to talk to her and she collapse in tears, ten minutes later she was feeling better after a heart to heart talk.  Guess that is “other required duties”. 

Don’t get me wrong, I am glad students feel comfortable coming to me if they need to talk, cry or get adult opinions!  When my own children were in school, I know they had teachers they would go to if needed.  

What else do high school teachers do that the community and parents do not realize?  There is the laughter and the high fives over test scores, athletic success and displays of their personal talents.  We advise students, write recommendations for college and scholarships.  We spread the word of job openings and follow that up with agreeing to be a reference.  We give tips for job and college interviews, and help them look up answers to all kinds of questions.  Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week, teacher bonuses come in the form of thank you cards.  Take the time and write one or send an email to a former teacher of yours or your child’s teacher.