Contribution
TO MY BATCHMATES and all teachers on TEACHER'S DAY, May 6, 2026 and beyond. The Teacher: An Ancient Craft that Keeps Us Alive.
1. One of humanity's/Jamaica's oldest professions
Teaching is right up there with healers, obeah men, priests, singers, pastors, storytellers, shopkeepers, doctors, writers, scientists, politicians, and farmers.
A profession that guarantees the planet’s survival, evolution, and continuation, notwithstanding today’s selfish capital formations and destructive wars.
2. Before schools, there were teachers:
Elders passed down how to track animals, look for wood, make fire, milk cows/animals, navigate by stars, wind, mountains, and oceans, shape tools, and remember histories.
Every skill humans have kept alive, "EDUCATION" comes through someone teaching someone else.
Laptops, computers, AI, internet, TikTok, or cable can never replace the teacher.
With all of that, Jamaica's literacy and numeracy rates have been falling, with males the greatest concern.
Back to TEACHER basics for a civilized solution.
Today we drive cars, fly planes, sail boats, dispense medicines, and yes, even missiles.
All of it started with a teacher.
3. Teacher's Day is honouring that unbroken chain
Whether it’s Socrates, Confucius, Aristotle, Vernon Derby, Andrew Holness, or Mark Golding.
Jesus, Ras Tafari, or Mohammed with their disciples, or your basic and primary school teachers who made ABCs or fractions finally click, it’s all the same craft:
The Teacher
In Jamaica, we celebrate Teacher's Day on the first Wednesday in May. That’s today.
Wednesdays are special to me, too. I went to Moneague College on a Wednesday to apply for entry. I got through
The teachers we must remember are those who taught us more than the syllabus.
Mr Laing was my favorite. I still live by his quote from a class presentation:
"Sir, how many arms do you have?”
Quite confused, I replied, “Two, sir.”
He then said, "Ok, we need not be introduced to any more arms." I live by that even today. I share it with my children, students and associates.
Today, I hear public officials and presenters “deafening listeners with arms in excess.” Missa Laing needs to talk to dem.
To the teachers who gave us more than syllabi:
BATCHMATES, CELEBRATED MONEAGUITES and other college graduates.
Thank you all for those extra arms you saved us from. Also, the strength and camaraderie displayed throughout.
All TEACHERS BLESSINGS AND MORE STRENGTH.
ONCE A TEACHER ALWAYS A Maas VERNON.
A TEACHER CAN IMMEDIATELY FIT IN ANY PROFESSION GO ON BARKE THE TEACHER'S TRUTE.
Michael Spence
Micspen2@hotmail.com
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The teaching profession is a foundation for any progressive society. They should he celebrated.
ReplyDeleteOur Teacher's are the most outstanding people in our society. They are liked buried treasure. They help us to be the best we can be or to become a Doctor, Lawyer, Pharmacist, Principal, Cashier, Garbage Collecter, and even a Prime Minister. Come to think 🤔 about it. Why is our Prime Minister treat our beloved Teacher's like they are not a appreciated? Whenever the Teacher's should get a raise. It is like a wrestling 🤼♂️ match to pay those who are championing the cause for better society. The Government will find the money 💷 to build the most important and outstanding project in and for the best part of our country's. However; where do they find so much money 💷 from? That is just mind bobbling. Yet Teacher's are leaving their beloved country's for greener Pastures, because of unfair treatment. Teacher's are our strength 💪 and stability for a sustainable future, may they continue to persever and be consistent and resolute in their quest for a better society. Happy Teacher's Day. Continue to give your best! You have stand the test of time!
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