Who are the secret heroes of your profession?

Not all heroes wear capes.

But every profession has hidden heroes.

Every job has people who keep the wheels turning when things go awry.

Every vocation has people who, while totally unsung, volunteer to step into the gap.

Every occupation has people who will place themselves into the awkward positions left vacant.

In the two professions I’ve spent the most time in, two distinct heroes spring to mind - a locum and a casual.

In a ministry context, a locum is the minister who fills in while a congregation is in the process of finding a new permanent minister.

This person is a hero.

They step into a situation which can be very difficult.

Potentially, you’re stepping into the place of a beloved minister. In this case, the hero faces the burden of comparison or a deep sense of loss.

At worst, you’re stepping into the place of a displaced minister who has left in ignominy. In this case, the hero bears the weight of a congregation who has been hurt or disappointed.

Within the school context the unsung heroes are definitely casual teachers.

They step into an almost no-win situation.

Do you recall what you thought of casual teachers when you were a student?

I sure do, and trust me, they weren’t viewed positively.

They were a chance to goof off.

They weren’t really seen a “real teachers.”

But, these heroes fill a vital role within the education system, even if they can be judged differently by those they are trying to teach.

The reason they should be highly esteemed is that they allow the education machine to keep running.

Without them, the teacher guilt of taking a sick day would be increased astronomically. Who would want to leave their students, especially as they progress through the time-crunch of the senior years, without a teacher?

Of course, if a teacher keeps pressing on when they are sick or depleted, this will ultimately result in even more time required away from the classroom.

Casual teachers are the heroes in this situation.

They step in, usually unaware of what will face them within the classroom.

They will offer to get hammered by students who are more willing to test the boundaries, if not determined to be disobedient.

No doubt, every job will have heroes who are prepared to stick their head into the professional noose.

Unfortunately, because they aren’t usually seen for weeks or years on end, their value can be undersold by those who don’t recognise the vital gaps that they fill.