The Editor, Sir:

I teach in a helplessly 'country' area of the United States of America. A few days ago I had a tense moment in the classroom. It was the beginning of class and the usual 'bad boy' of the bunch was being disruptive as usual. I drew on all my verbal reprimands but he kept on going. When I decided to give him a referral (the American equivalent of harsh punishment) he promptly called me a 'b—ch.' After a short, silent, intake of breath, I promptly responded. My response (which was grossly unprofessional) actually restored my authority in the class and silenced 'Billy the Kid.'

Such are measures to which we have to resort, in order to live to teach another day.

Some teachers back home might be shocked and horrified and others may have dealt with issues much larger than this. It's quite a common occurrence in our day-to-day activities here in the USA. My friend in a neighbouring school got the 'b word' last year and got it again last week. At my school, the female teachers have a 'b club.' You become a member when you are finally called the 'b word.' I was actually just awaiting my turn.

Now after this tale of woe you probably think that my message is to "stay away from the USA." Au contraire. I would encourage any teacher, after extensive 'dancing a yaad,' to try their hand at 'dancing abroad.' There are memorable moments; it is not all bad. Aside from the students of the aforementioned variety (my co-worker calls them 'renkers') the others are sweet. I teach a group of young men who have dubbed me 'Queen Harvey.' They take a deep bow upon entering the class and respond to all my reprimands with 'Yes, your majesty.' I'm very amused by this.

Greatest reward

Yet another group of students has decided that I am a teacher of the genius variety because I could tell them the plural of index. They bring me chocolate every day. I got the incredulous stare from yet another little boy when I, a mere teacher of English from Jamaica, reminded him of the differences among mean, mode and median. The greatest reward of all is to watch students and teachers alike stand up and take notice of the Jamaican teachers. If there is an opportunity to defend ourselves, and by extension, Jamaica, then we in our little corner would like to say, 'Wi nah back.'

If you have a good work ethic and broad back, I say try it if you are interested. Be prepared for outspoken students and blatant ignorance (i.e. the adults). The students may not make your day every day, but some of them will make you smile once in a while. You might like it, 'renkers' and all.

I am, etc.,

NATALIE HARVEY

natitunge@hotmail.com

Sumter, SC

Via Go-Jamaica