The 10 commandments of the teacher

Crédit : Image générée par DALL-E 3 d'OpenAI.

Teaching is not an easy task. When I started teaching, my mentor gave me invaluable advice that has proven effective and rewarding. I have never regretted following any one of them.

So, if you are a young teacher, here are the ten commandments I would like to pass on to you. Don’t waste time. Start tomorrow!

Historical version

1. Thou shalt honor the time of thy class by thine punctuality
2. Thou shalt wear attire befitting a scholar.
3. Thou shalt speak in the tongue of proper English
4. Thou shalt keep thine personal troubles separate from class
5. Thou shalt proclaim the rules before thou enforcest them
6. Thou shalt demand excellence from thyself and those thou teaches
7. Thou shalt make haste to review and return scholars’ papers
8. Thou shalt be steadfast and just in all thy disciplinary dealings
9. Thou shalt not bring disrepute upon thy fellow teachers
10. Thou shalt ever preserve thy zest for teaching

Modern version

1. You will always arrive on time.
2. You will wear suitable clothing.
3. You will speak in well-formed English.
4. You will leave your emotions at the classroom door.
5. You will declare the rules before implementing them.
6. You will keep high standards for yourself and your students.
7. You will mark and return assignments swiftly.
8. You will be consistent in your disciplinary measures.
9. You will not undermine a colleague.
10. You will maintain your zeal at all times!