Nieman: Teachers are at the very heart of the child-raising village

I grew up in Africa. Whenever I encounter so-called African proverbs, I am always intrigued to see if they truly originated in Africa or not. One such proverb, which is authentically African, and filled with truth and wisdom, is “It takes a village to raise a child.”

This year marks the 35th year of being a pediatrician, and I must admit as I look back, and as I think of the role teachers play in being part of the village, they have never played a bigger role.

Stress is defined by some experts as a gap between capacity and demand. Many teachers are very capable and there is nothing wrong with their capacity, but sadly, and coming at a huge cost to our future, the demands put on teachers have become unrealistically excessive. No wonder teachers burn out at a rate that may surprise some in the public, but certainly not doctors and teachers; especially doctors who work closely with teachers.

Next month a substantial number of teachers will be asked to complete a form known as the SNAP MTA IV form. It is one of many tools available to screen a child for ADHD – attention deficit, hyperactivity disorder.

In Canada, we are fortunate that teachers do not have to take lessons on how to use firearms or carry them. Yet, our neighbours to the south have a different take, depending on where they live in the U.S. The thought is that teachers cannot depend on the police to help; they need to be ready to protect their students like a mother hen protects the chicks, or a grizzly mom protects her cubs.

That is sad and extreme, but today I am here to salute teachers who call me and discuss students. Two examples come to mind immediately. One principal called me and explained how worried she is about a student who is a patient of mine. She felt the student has fallen through the cracks. So … what did she do? She asked her daughter to come to the school and volunteer by assisting the struggling student, and doing extra tutoring for free out of kindness and compassion.

Another teacher called me and the conversation started with her saying, “Dr. Nieman, thanks for taking my call. I am very worried that Johnny (not the real name) is a very capable student, but unless we get him more help, I fear he will end up in jail.”

Later I discovered that this teacher left a lucrative career in the “oilpatch” so that she could follow her heart and her calling – to teach and shape lives. I felt such respect for her authentic compassion.

Her talking about jail reminded me of an American teacher named Guy Dowd. In the U.S., the teacher of the year gets an opportunity to go to the Oval Office to receive a reward from the president. Dowd won that award. He told a story of how on Dec. 24, he was just getting ready to sit down and have dinner with his family when his phone rang. The call came from a prison. It was one of his former students.

In that particular prison, prisoners were allowed one call around Christmas. Dowd’s former student decided to call his teacher because he was touched by how much he had cared. When I heard the story for the first time, it made me cry.

Over a lengthy career of looking after children and aiming to help them be well – in spirit, soul, and body – I have met all kinds of teachers. I have seen how teachers who have a child with ADHD tend to be very compassionate and understanding in the classroom because they know how it feels.

I have also met teachers who gave a retaliation penalty. That is where other students taunt a kid with ADHD and when that child “snaps”, he gets punished while the taunters (I call them bullies) get away without any repercussions.

I have met saints and I have met jaded and burnt-out teachers. They all need compassion.

This month, I am saluting teachers for what they do day in and day out to be part of our village; to help doctors manage kids with autism, ADHD, and other developmental issues. These teachers know that no government can truly pay them what they deserve.

They make our village a better place – not just today, but for the days ahead, when kids become adults.

Dr. Nieman is a community-based pediatrician, an author and a wellness coach. See www.drnieman.com for more information.