Juanita Swaby
A TEACHER for 20 years, Juanita Swaby preferred the old days when teachers were held in high esteem nation-wide.
"We are the backbone of society and we are not treated as such by the government, by parents, and the public," Mrs. Swaby said.
"We are now the 'old gal' to the parents and the public bash us on the talk shows," she added.
She said that in the not-so-distant past teachers had a code of conduct that they lived by when they were not in school. Mrs. Swaby said that teachers could not wear backless dresses, would not eat before their students or be at certain functions that their students are attending.
The mother of two said that teachers were not allowed to have children outside of marriage.
"If a teacher was pregnant and she was not married, she would have to leave the school, have the baby and let her parents raise the child if she desired to come back to the profession," Mrs. Swaby said.
Many of the standards were changed in 1972 allowing unwed teachers to remain in the classrooms.
"Before this change there was more respect shown to teachers, but they say it is now modern times," she said.
The third grade teacher at South Borough Primary said that teachers are demoralised by the recent lay-offs.
"The government makes it look as if we are not qualified for our jobs. What are we to do, those of us who love teaching?" Mrs. Swaby said.
Mrs. Swaby began teaching in 1975 as a pre-trained teacher, but her first career choice was to become a nurse. Coming from a family of teachers and lecturers she said that she was encouraged by a friend to get into teaching.
After teaching for five years, she went to Mico Teachers College and earned a certificate in teaching. She would return to Mico some years later for a diploma.
With all the odds facing the profession, Mrs. Swaby says she gets a certain satisfaction from seeing her former students being successful in life.
"But when they get into trouble or go to jail you feel hurt just as if they are your own child," she said.
Mrs. Swaby says she loves children and would not leave the profession for another job.
"I love seeing my students become successful, it is better than getting a million dollars," she said.
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