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Who would be a teacher these days, Alex? Not me, that's for sure.
If any reader is a teacher then I tips me lid to you.
I might mention at this point that I have no involvement with teachers other than having a couple of neighbours who are such and with whom I exchange only the usual neighbourly pleasantries. Oh yes, one of my sisters-in-law is a music teacher at the Con., but I haven't seen her (never mind spoken to her) for years and years - and a couple of friends used to be TAFE teachers who took on the job after decades in their respective trades. Right, that gets any conflict of interest out of the way.
Should my general reading and understanding of such be correct then teachers today are expected to do far more than they did in my time as a student. Unless I am mistaken, and I doubt it, extra-curricula activities were done on a voluntary basis (usually initiated by the teacher in question) and guided by someone with an interest in the subject.
Now a teacher is required to participate in such. They are also - often - allocated to teach students in subjects which are out of the area of their (the teacher's) expertise. The latter does not apply in most cases to primary school teachers as they, usually, teach the same pupils day in and day out. This changes when the children arrive at 'High School'.
So, to cut to the chase: How many teachers of pupils/students have either the interest or the time to become involved in specialised astronomy education? The same would apply no doubt to other subjects such as Biology, Medicine, Environment, Cartography, Electronics, Archaeology or a whole host of other branches of science. Where does it stop?
There are also the legal aspects, and you of all people would have a working knowledge of that area. Insurance, parental permission, background checks regarding dealing with children, use of premises, first-aid facilities; I'm sure there's more.
Looking back over that lot I'm surprised that anything gets done in this 'nanny state' environment in which we all now live! Yes, OK, I accept that I'm probably overstating things a bit.
I suppose, if you are lucky, you will be able to liase with a particular school. What if you are not? Individuals, such as myself, will have little or no chance of setting up any sort of scheme. The various clubs and societies would have a much enhanced ability to do something constructive. Before that can happen, though, those organisations will need to dispel the idea that they are a haven for 'geeks', 'nerds' or other terribly serious people. We know that they are not, but do other people?
Surely there is a place for learners within clubs just as there is for people who do not take the hobby to extremes. If astronomy as a hobby, pastime or part time serious study is to be encouraged in the general community (including children) then the clubs/societies must become the focal point. If you can attract an adult then there is no doubt that the battle for their younger ones is half done.
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