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Teachers from schools all over Scotland are taking a well-earned break. Some will have flown out on the first available flights or fled towards ferries. Indeed, being a son of two teachers, there would always be at least one colleague or kent-face my folks would bump into, making their great escape at the same time. Usually at the duty free.

Those staying at home (or staycationing, as I dare to type for the first time) may have caught from this week, Can I Sack Teacher?

Scottish viewers may have recognised a lot of it from last month's Teachers: Could Do Better? (the may have struck a chord). The original ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scotland Investigates programme was updated with fresh content, so worth watching again - it's available on iPlayer beyond the usual seven days. While the programme was being broadcast I was keeping an interested eye on comments being made by some of the teachers I follow on Twitter. It certainly provoked a varied response. And on Radio Scotland the following morning, Call Kaye let callers have their say. There's plenty of opportunity to feedback on the programme and the points it raises on the Panorama blog.

There's no doubt teaching can be a tough gig, and it's not for everybody. Choosing teaching, I would think, means you want to help others. As with every job, not everyone will be great at it but can surely develop, with the right support. There'll be good days, bad days. Ups, downs. Mistakes. You know, life.

There will be those that will be dreading the return in August. For those suffering external or internal pressures there is somewhere you can turn. The website and helpline is available over the summer as well as term-time.

Maybe the communication, understanding and encouragement that some would offer their own children should be extended to those who help them learn. The Teacher Support Scotland website also has a guide on .

Let the teachers teach, but let them rest awhile too. We need them relaxed, recharged, fresh and positive.