ABSTRACT
Teaching is a thankless and difficult job. Not only are class sizes prohibitively large and resources strictly limited, but also teachers are asked increasingly to do much more than teach. Tears in our social fabric, economic strength, and family supports unfortunately have left the schools as the sole source of structure and stability for many children. Because of this singularity, teachers frequently are expected to assess and handle behavior problems; instill self-control and respect for adults in children who do not learn these at home; model and teach socially acceptable conduct and values that are not necessarily reinforced by the children’s immediate family or environment; and monitor nutrition, health and hygiene, safety and welfare.
