Teaching Respect

Tomorrow we officially start classes with all the students. Today we had a new student orientation and I met a few of my students. I had about 3 students at the orientation, most of the students there today were in lower grades. They all seemed rather nice and their English was strong enough to hold a conversation. One thing I noticed about them is that they were all very shy. I am not sure if that is due to the fact they are in a new place or because it is the culture to be quiet and shy when speaking with an individual of status.

This idea of status is something new to me as a teacher, but an aspect of this culture that I am finding very different and positive from America. In Thailand, teachers are revered and thought of very highly. A teacher is considered someone who is just below the King and other people of high regard in this society. The reason behind this is that a teacher is respected for giving back to the good of society and for trying to make things better for the nation and others. As a teacher in Bangkok, I have and will receive a great deal of respect for my "service" to the community and the future.

Growing up in the USA, this aspect of teaching is something which with I am unfamiliar. In our society of money and flaunting, people are often judge by the salary they make or the toys they have. Education is not a wealthy field and I feel that teachers often do not receive the respect they deserve from the American society. I guess I'm relating back to the saying, "Those who can't do, teach."

I am simply not used to teachers being held in such high regard. Recently, I have heard of too much negativity in education in the states and blame put on teachers for one thing or the other. I feel there is much more respect for the teaching profession in Thailand than in the United States.