While browsing through our local library recently, we stumbled across a few historical books that offered a fascinating glimpse into the past. With the start of a new school year upon us, it felt like the perfect time to pause and reflect on one of the most important roles in our community — teachers.
A good teacher can change everything. They might be the person who teaches your child to read… or the one who makes maths finally make sense. Ask any child about school and chances are they’ll happily tell you who their favourite teacher is. Is it the jokes? The encouragement? The way they turn learning into fun? Whatever the reason, great teachers leave a lasting impression.
Teaching today looks very different to what it did in the 1800s and early 1900s. Modern teachers have far more freedom to customise lessons, embrace creativity, and adapt to individual learning styles. But their predecessors? They followed rules that sound almost unbelievable by today’s standards.
Back then, being a teacher came with a rulebook that extended well beyond the classroom. Teachers needed permission to travel, were forbidden from staying out past 8pm unless attending a school function, and even had rules about who and when they could court.
Female teachers faced particularly strict expectations. They were not allowed to loiter in ice-cream shops, wear bright colours, or dye their hair. One can only imagine the reaction from modern-day unions if those rules were reintroduced.
And teaching wasn’t just about lessons and discipline. Teachers were also expected to clean, sweep and scrub classroom floors, clean chimneys, bring their own coal for the fireplace, and even make their own pens. Multitasking has truly come a long way.
While the job has evolved dramatically, one thing remains the same: teachers shape young minds and futures every single day. As classrooms become more dynamic and expectations continue to grow, it’s worth remembering just how precious — and demanding — the role of a teacher has always been.
So as the school year begins, here’s a quiet thank you to teachers past and present. Whether armed with chalk or technology, coal or coloured markers, their influence lasts far beyond the classroom.
Chitchat Newspaper. February 2026.