The title is Latin for "in the place of the parents". And too often that is the role forced upon teachers, police, etc..

I became particularly aware of this in my first year of formal teaching. (Elsewhere, I note that I began teaching in the Sixth Grade.)

I began as an Instructor in Mathematics and Physics at Instituto Polytechnico (soon renamed Inter American University of Puerto Rico), San Germán, P. R. My Head, Frank S@#*&(+, had many problems with his students.

For example, as I was about to go up to my first class one day, Frank accosted me, saying he had to "check with the Office". He asked me to tell his students that he'd be there shortly.

Arriving upstairs, I had to herd the students back into Frank's classroom. "Maria said Mr. S@#*&(+ phoned in sick and won't be here." I assured them that Mr. S@#*&(+ was downstairs and would soon be up for class.

As I was going into my own classroom, Frank appeared. I told him what had happened.

Frank said, "Maria's always dismissing my class, if I'm not there on time!"

Maria's father was a successful physician, with a large clinic in another part of the Island.

On "Founder's Day", alumni and parents visited us. I met Maria's father and told him about this incident.

"She does that to the patients in my Clinic. If I don't get there in time, I find the place empty of patients! You have to make her stop doing such things. That's why we send her to your school -- to make her learn to behave!"

And that's the story I heard again and again -- not only in PR but when teaching at other universities, and in public and private schools.

IN LOCO PARENTIS. It can leave little time or energy for teaching!