Comic or Tragic?
A quick conversation at the checkout that turned into a small reflection on being a teacher
Today, around 7 PM, I stopped at the Walmart checkout with a few items — including a comic book in the mix.
Cashier: “Are you getting this comic book?”
Me: “Yes. My daughter, Nalu, asked for it.”
Cashier: “Ah… that’s what having kids is like, right? At least it encourages her to read.”
Me: “It does! I always read with her.”
Cashier: “Oh really? What do you do for a living?”
Me: “I’m a teacher!” — with that simple pride of someone who genuinely loves what they do.
Cashier: “Wow! My dream was to be a teacher!”
Me: “There’s still time! All it takes is studying!” — being all friendly, thinking I was encouraging someone’s dream.
Cashier: “Ah… but it’s a terrible profession. Nobody values it.”
Me: 🙂
End of conversation.
I have to admit I was not prepared for that sequence.
In less than a minute, I went from “proudly a teacher” to “I wonder if Walmart is hiring?” 😂
Jokes aside, the conversation was funny — but it also says a lot.
Being a teacher really isn’t an easy profession.
It means hours preparing lessons that no one sees. Grading assignments, resolving conflicts, talking with parents, motivating students, helping those who are falling behind, managing behavior, developing projects, organizing events — and often bringing home worries that started inside the classroom.
And yet, there is something very special about teaching.
Because you may never fully see the results of your work. Sometimes, an explanation you gave in five minutes stays in a student’s memory for twenty years. A word of encouragement can change the way someone sees their own potential. A simple conversation can change a decision.
And a teacher can play a part in shaping the stories of hundreds, or even thousands, of people throughout their lifetime.
Perhaps the profession doesn’t always receive the recognition it deserves. But that doesn’t diminish the size of its influence.
Either way…
Tomorrow I’m dropping off my résumé at Walmart, Carrefour, and every other place that’s hiring. 😂😂😂
