"Dear new teacher" by Chris Harrison

Dear New Teacher

War is an unpleasant thing. It is accompanied by tremendous suffering, massive ideological conflict, destruction of property and the inevitable loss of life and limb on both sides.

War relies on manpower; the foot soldiers... Cannon fodder. The life of a foot soldier is one of fear, apprehension, pain, terror and, if you’re lucky enough to escape death, you are served up a healthy portion of post-traumatic stress disorder. This is much like the life of a first-year teacher.

My first year of teaching included all of these feelings and, although I am glad to have escaped death (albeit narrowly), the post-traumatic stress thing is no fun.

These were the low points; the points when I felt like I was not cut out for this, the points when I was exhausted mentally and physically, the points when I was sure that my students had a coordinated vendetta against learning anything in my class. But soldiers soldier on. Deserters will be shot.

So, congratulations on enlisting as a foot soldier. A noble profession, indeed. The enemies are well-armed, well coordinated, guerrilla fighters. To succeed you will need intel and basic weapons training. Intel helps you know the enemy and weaponry helps you subdue the enemy. Intel comes from your superiors, your fellow soldiers and enemy moles. You already have all the weapons you need but the knowledge of which weapons to use when comes from Teach Like a Soldier... er... Champion.

So, congratulations on becoming a foot soldier. Soldiers feel the burden of duty upon their shoulders to fight for a higher cause. Isn’t that why we enlisted? We enlisted because we believe that our combined efforts can somehow get our nation to where we’d like it to be. It’s not the easiest thing in the world to see this big picture when you’re dodging Gr. 7 artillery fire, but just remember that there is a big picture. This helped me stay on course.

So, congratulations on becoming a foot soldier. It is neither glittery nor glamorous. And don’t expect the enemy to shower you with praise. But there is a certain valour associated with being a foot soldier; a sense of honour and pride that only comes from fighting for one’s country. It is a sense that each individual can contribute to a combined victory.

In my mind, a combined victory has nothing to do with defeating the mighty armies of Lesotho or Swaziland and annexing their mountains. A combined victory is a better South Africa. A combined victory is a generation of young, well-educated South Africans who can think for themselves, question everything and make informed choices about their futures and the futures of the country.

So, congratulations on becoming a foot soldier. There will be good days and bad days. There will be days full of energy and days full of lethargy. There will be battles won and battles lost. Celebrate each victory and reflect on each loss. Learn. As long as the ups outweigh the downs (and they will), you’ll live to fight another day.

So, welcome to the ranks, soldier. Now drop and give me 20...