Cultivate the ‘teacher gene’

Examining the question of why teachers leave the profession is important (“Why do SC teachers quit?” Sept. 22). Just as valuable is asking why anybody would be a teacher in the first place.

In my work as a student-teacher supervisor, I would ask the question: “When you were little, did you play school?” Hands would fly up. Then: “Did you always play the teacher?” Huge smiles and more hands up.

Teaching is a profession that requires training, of course. Never forget, however, that the “teacher gene” is real, that there are many who enter and stay in the profession because they love making a difference, and that these rare and wonderful people deserve respect, support and recognition.

This story was originally published October 1, 2017 at 6:31 PM with the headline "Cultivate the ‘teacher gene’."