As a parent the most important thing we can do is protect our children and that can be so difficult.
Yesterday, we were driving past the school and there is a new apartment block opposite, where there are some "shady" elements with drug addicts and sellers etc. This is a relatively good area too. I said to my wife that it kind of concerns me, as while Finland is super safe in comparison to the US, it is changing here too, as more and more people seem to subscribe to the dropout society.
Having taught for 30 plus years, I realized just how important it is for a student to be under the guidance of a person that truly cares about the welfare of the students under their instruction.
It makes such a difference. My day taught from 16-78 years of age and he was someone who actually cared. Decades later, people still occasionally reach out to me to say what a positive impact on their lives he made.
Compassion is as important as the ability to instruct.
I was going to write a post on this a bit, as in Australia now, there is such a shortage of teachers that they are looking to give large cash incentives. That is great, but if not managed well, it ends up like doctors with no bedside manner, except these are people who spend 30 hours a week with our kids and teach them things.
I taught students that were considered behavior problems and after a time I realized that the real problem was the teacher.
So often is the case. It is a branch of neglect, like bad parenting.
BTW, I have always wanted to get a picture of a hummingbird, but afaik, they don't live in Finland. :)
We are having the same problems with a lack of qualified teachers here in the states. Teacher's salaries have risen more in the past few years than ever before. That is a double edged sword, are people getting into this profession for the money or because being a teacher is their calling.
The dropout society is becoming a plague. Help wanted signs are everywhere, from McDonalds to skilled labors. People seem content to just sit around, happily taking the checks provided by the government.
It is insane how many people have chosen to drop from the workforce and these gaps are going to cost them down the track.
They always end eventually.