Portfolio Worker

Dear Friends,

Eventually, all “News” becomes old, tossed into a dark, dusty corner. However, I don’t think Bill 115 is ever going to see that day. I’ve personally developed an incredible ability to link any topic to McGuinty’s travesty of democracy.

The other day, I read that the French government, in view of legalizing same-sex marriages, is planning to replace the words mother and father in legal documents with the word parent.

The article made me think of how every so often, social justice eliminates stigmas by forcing the linguists to revise our vocabulary.

Although changing the word housewife to homemaker, stewardess to flight attendant and secretary to administrative assistant did not change anyone’s job description it did shed a more “respectful” light on the professions.

It’s time we demanded linguists to change the word teacher to “Portfolio Worker!”

According to Roman Krznaric’s article in UK's Psychologies Magazine (August 2012), Karl Marx believed people should be wide achievers, not high achievers. Wide achievers, also known as portfolio workers work part-time in several careers, simultaneously. They are Jack and Jill of all trades, but master of none.

Voilà the breadth of most teachers' portfolio:

cleaner, interior designer, programmer, executor, examiner, reporter, interviewer, actor, linguist, mathematician, botanist, zoologist, astrologist, gastronomist, scientist, environmentalist, activist, sociologist, artist, bookkeeper, fashion police, mail distributor, cultural attaché, activity coordinator, event planner, choreographer, costume designer, entertainer, coach, referee, cheerleader, public speaker, physical & mental health practitioner, motivator, baker, foot patroller, judge, meditator, prosecutor, advocate, and public’s most favourite - babysitter!

Ladies and gentlemen, from now on, I beg of you, do not refer to me as “teacher.” I am a portfolio worker! You may also call me - Magician.

Accepted and filed!

What have you accepted and filed today?

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