Today I feel obligated to write about obligations.  I for one hate being told I have to do anything I don’t really want to do but I am obligated to do certain things contractually.  I must pay my bills, I must show up to work on time, I must do the job I’m asked to do.  I do have some choice here; I can choose not to spend as much or find a job with flex hours or start my own business.  But even in these scenarios, there will likely be some different contractual obligations.

And then there are moral obligations.  I am morally obligated to be the best parent I can be.  I’m morally obligated to help those who can’t help themselves.  And I feel morally obligated to be there for my students even after I cease to be their official teacher.  I think most real educators feel that way actually.  But today I experienced an instance where an educator basically said, when you leave here, you’re on your own.  I’ve done all I can for you.

Education is not merely a job or even a career.  It’s a calling.  Most teachers I know understand that they will not get rich teaching, and they may never get the respect they deserve but yet they continue to teach.  Why?  Well, a lot of us feel obligated to educate the next generation, to make life better for others, to make the world a better place.  It sounds a bit sappy I suppose, but philosophically I believe this.  This does not make teaching any easier however and there are certainly days  when I grow tired of my obligations to my students.  Add on a group of practicum students and a student teacher and you just add on more obligations.

But fulfilling obligations can bring peace and even joy.  If I fulfill my contractual obligations I can feel a sense of relief or peace.  Fulfilling my moral obligations can bring  moments of joy.  Having a child come up and hug me, telling me I’m the best music teacher ever (even though I may be the only one they’ve every had) is a joyful moment.  Seeing happiness on a student teacher’s face when you’ve helped them get through a successful lesson is extremely fulfilling.  Having a student you had almost 20 years ago tell you something you said made a difference in their life is life changing.

But do these examples make me obligated to continue teaching?  Well, as I see it, teaching is not only what I do but it is who I am.  Educating is not just the passing on of information.  I’ve talked about this before.  Anyone can read a lesson out of a book or stand in front of a room and just talk about a subject, but to take a concept and get someone to not only understand but be able to apply and connect to other knowledge, now that’s education.  And if you can make someone feel something as well (which is one of the things I LOVE about teaching music), you’ve hit the jackpot.

Does my obligation to a student or student teacher end when they leave?  No.  Once a student, always a student.  I too am a student and I still go to mentors when I need help  or advice, usually something to improve my teaching or when I just need to bounce ideas off of someone.  To not do this would insinuate that I’m finished learning.  Oh sure, I could continue to read things on my own, but it’s that interaction with a teacher I trust who feels obliged to help that makes the difference.  And now as a mentor, I would do my best to help any student who needed me and when I don’t know what to do I find someone who does.  That’s what teachers are for.

I know retired teachers who now actually have time to do MORE mentoring of young teachers and it’s a way to share a lifetime of experience to make the young teacher’s career better.  I think it is our moral obligation as educators to be there for as long as our students need us.  Sometimes it’s holding their hand through something difficult and sometimes it’s encouraging them to do their own thing, but we should be there.  I would suggest that anyone who does not feel this way is not really an educator at all.  They may have all of the skills but none of the heart.

So, while I’m looking forward to retirement someday, it doesn’t mean I won’t be available if someone needs me.  As I see it, obligations aren’t a bad thing if it means I’m still able to help others as others continue to help me.