Those who can…

I’m sure everyone by now has seen the government’s television recruitment campaign to encourage more people into teacher training. Tonight I saw the one for physics teachers which I recommend watching closely:

[Smart boy with RP accent, probably selective entry school]: “What would happen if we fell in a blackhole?”

[Smart secondary state school, mid-physics lesson, Estuary English with glottal stops] : “Huh? Maybe we should ask Einstein!” (laughter)

[Tall, thin, long but scruffy-haired school kid, RP accent] : “Is there such a thing as dark matter?”

[Slightly more scruffy uniform, with very broad regional dialect]: “Why does the water go down the plug in different directions in each hemisphere?”

I’ve no doubt it’s encouraging people to quit their immensely well-paid jobs and become teachers, but surely this is reinforcing stereotypes here?!? – The Prof. Hawkins-esque posh kids are into blackholes and dark matter whilst those in more rural parts are only interested in gazing into a plughole?

Still, I recommend this fun comparison of emotions in your job compared to a teacher…