February 9, 2005

neck-or-nothing rip roarin' every time a bull's eye salesman....

Natalie sprinkles derision on a certain notion we've all heard. It goes: "Would you have your appendix removed by an unqualified surgeon? Would you cross the Atlantic in a plane with an unqualified pilot? Why, then, would you permit an unqualified teacher to instruct your child?"

She dismembers the idea. And has an analogy of her own that is much better:

...It is obvious why teachers want to be placed in the same bracket as surgeons or pilots: it's to keep out competition from classroom assistants, home educators and other riff-raff. The irony is that there is a profession that resembles classroom teaching much more closely than either that of surgeon or airline pilot, and in which good performers are often much better paid than either.

That profession is sales. A teacher must get a sceptical audience to share his view of the desirability of what he is offering, as must a salesman. A good teacher must know his subject as a good salesman must know his product. For both there is more to success than product knowledge; enthusiasm and empathy are also involved. Both are born not made, although experience and training can help. For both the constant human interaction can be exhausting. Both will be rejected and insulted every day. The best love their jobs anyway...

Of course. And obvious once Ms Solent pointed it out to me...

Posted by John Weidner at February 9, 2005 9:30 PM
Weblog by John Weidner