Why did I become a Multicultural Teacher?

I had had some training as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher, and I was interested in teaching English as a subject. However, it was either a job such as this or no job at all.

In 1981 there were too many teachers for the number of positions available and I needed and wanted to work as a teacher. So I became a Multicultural teacher at a state school in a market garden area quite some distance from my house.

It took 45 minutes to travel to school, dropping off children and husband at their schools along the way. Often I made it to school just as the bell went in the mornings. The car was old and unreliable and often broke down on the way home.

It was challenging though! But I loved it!

Multiculturalism

The new buzz word in education. Multiculturalism! Multicultural schools, multicultural society, multicultural teachers. In 1980, money was being poured into S.A. schools to support 'multicultural' programmes. There was even a large Multicultural Centre which ran programmes for teachers and generally provided the organisation needed to support schools.

This focus on multiculturalism was obviously an attempt by the then government to put right the policies of previous governments, i.e. the white Australia policy, the herding of migrants into 'holding centres' which were no better than tin sheds, the assimilation of ethnic groups into the 'white' English culture. And not forgetting the policies which were an attempt to annihilate the Aboriginal population.

And I was to be part of this new multicultural approach!

Multicultural teacher?

I became a Multicultural Teacher, and for quite a few years this was my title. But what does a Multicultural teacher do?

I was sent on a two month training course, and met some interesting people and generally had a good time. But the upshot was that it depended on each school. However, you were meant to give the school some direction. This was fine but I did not really know what I was meant to be doing anyway.

So I began my next job in the state sector, not really having a clue. The school did not know either.

Talk about challenging!

An inspirational teacher

The very prim sister turned out to be the opposite. One should never judge a book by the cover. She was witty, yet very gentle. Her lessons were imaginative and fun. The children loved her. And no wonder. I enjoyed every minute that I was in her class too.

As well as providing support for some of the children in the class I also taught the Social Studies topic for Sr V, so that she could have her release time. I looked forward to this every week. In the end the children made puppets and we presented a show to the rest of the school. It was hard work but the children gained so much from it all.

Sr V encouraged me all the way. A truly inspirational teacher.

I felt really sad when I finished my six month contract and would no longer be working with Sr V.

A job!

As I walk into the quiet staffroom I look around at the other teachers assembled in the room. A very prim looking Sister, who tries to give me warning looks, a man who is overweight and shabbily dressed, a nervous young teacher and the Principal, Sister P, who glares at me over her glasses. I have disturbed the 'before school' prayer meeting. Not a good start!

I wander outside and stand with the children, while we wait for the prayer meeting to finish. I look around, the school looks dilapidated and the children poorly dressed, even in their uniforms. I wonder about the children's home backgrounds. This is a local parochial school in an area of high deprivation. However, they all seem happy to be at school and greet me cheerfully. I relax!

This is my first teaching post, two days a week on a six month contract. Not ideal, but then again it is a job and experience. I feel lucky!

Second thoughts

I stood on the playground surrounded by children who were keenly taking notice of the proceedings in hand. Sr P, dressed in her brown habit, was shouting and pointing at two very embarrassed teachers, and one of them was me.

This was not a spontaneous moment, but a deliberate action to punish us for our wrongdoings. We had been ordered outside onto the playground so that she could reprimand us in front of the children. Our crime? We had allowed a class of children to become noisy while she was taking a prayer session in the next classroom.

If this was going to be my life as a teacher, than I wanted nothing of it. I should have taken a different degree, and gone to work in an office, but I had always wanted to be a teacher and it had taken me a long time to get there. As I stood there in the playground I nearly gave it all up. Luckily I carried on! And I have not regretted it either. Or been bored, ever!

On reflection, the other teachers at the primary school were so very forgiving, and told me that Sr P's temper was her cross to bear. However I still see a lady who needed much counselling and a very long course in anger management.