Should you become a teacher?
In most recent days, I have realized that teaching is such an interesting job when it really comes down to it. A lot of people think that they want to be a teacher and there is no denying that there is a lot that's appealing about the job. At first glance, the perks almost seem too good to be true. You work from 7:30-3:30 Monday thru Friday and have all major holidays off. Plus you get a fall break (1 week), winter break (2 weeks), and a spring break (1 week). On top of that you also have summers off! Most, if not all, teaching jobs have benefits as well (retirement, insurance for you and your family, and accrued time off). There is both job availability and job security. The other perk that might be appealing is that you're shaping the youth of America. Each day is new and exciting and presents in itself a sense of variety/adventure. You will feel like each day at work matters and means something. Another bonus might be that you like kids! Or that you're particularly invested in a certain subject area.
The reality is that teaching is more than perks and a sense of self-righteousness about changing the world. The actual nitty gritty of the job can often feel overwhelming. There is a long list of things you may have not thought about or that isn't so apparent when the idea of teaching first comes to mind. First there is a lot of testing, grading, and long hours of preparing materials/lessons. Secondly, every single day you have to be "on". You might be able to go into your 9-5 office job and be in a bad mood and avoid your co-workers for the day, but that is near impossible when you walk into a classroom. Because you expect good behavior from your students, you absolutely have to model it. If you teach in a high school setting, you're faced with essentially entertaining 150-170 people every single day. That in itself can feel overwhelming, especially if you're not prepared. Students can sense your fear and they can read your body language and all of the non-verbal cues. When students enter the classroom, they have expectations of learning and a well planned out class period. They become restless, rude, and unruly when you lack content or classroom management.
That brings me to classroom management. Can you really manage 30+ students? Either all day long, or can you cycle through 150 kids a day? Do you think you can provide a stable and controlled environment with rules and consequences? Can you instill expectations and get results? When you're told no, shut up, or ignored, can you control your temper? If this sounds like something you can do, great! Education needs you. If this sounds like torture or like you might end up losing your cool now and again, find another career path.
If you have a passion for education, a subject area (or all), and for students, these are the main factors that matter. Many times I have met and worked with teachers who seem to be counting down the days to the weekend, to the next break, or to retirement. They are burnt out and are no longer invested in their students. Education needs people who want to be here and want to engage with their students. Having a passion for students is at the foundation of whether or not an educator will be successful. I cannot tell you how many times I've been met with a look of sorrow or pity when asked what grade I teach. At the first mention of high school, people cringe or frown. It is clear that teenagers are not favored in our society.
I honestly cannot tell you why I enjoy working with them either, but I do. I whole heartily enjoy them. I enjoy them when they are rude, disrespectful, and challenging. And I enjoy them more when they are mature, thoughtful, and learning. I get up each morning ready to make it happen. I find myself thinking about what to teach next, how to make assignments more exciting, or ways to be creative with my lessons. I find pleasure in the fact that I can make a student learn a complex concept and see them grow into someone who appreciates what literacy can provide for them.
There is another group of people who seem to be attracted to the field of education. Those seem to be the people that think our youth is in grave need of a savior. Many teachers, especially young teachers are entering the field with ideas of saving the youth. I see teachers continually make the mistake of treating this job like a counseling session or quickly take on the role of friend. You don't have well-structured environments that thrive on expectations and learning with your friends. The line becomes blurred and then several things occur. First you lose a sense of control over the classroom, learning takes a backseat to whatever else is ailing the students, and you also lose momentum. Because your day isn't structured around content, you become more wasteful with time and your energy. The classroom soon becomes a hangout or fun spot. Lessons will be put off in order to talk it out or be there for the students. When we walk in acting and thinking the kids are all falling apart, they also act and think they are falling apart. There is something to be said for mental health and a support system, but those things come in the form of the school social worker and the counselor. These roles already exist and shouldn't take place in your supposed learning environment.
You cannot survive in this field if you get yourself caught up in the minutia of the details. If you're always worried about what the person down the hall is doing, or if you're concerned that administration isn't making the right choices. You won't make it if you're continually irritated by lack of supplies, resources, or funding. You won't last if you're regularly comparing your work ethic to those around you. And finally, this isn't the job for you if you're not here to teach. If you're looking to save and connect with the youth, then maybe try becoming a social worker or counselor. You can be passionate and caring through the lens of providing sound education and opportunities for learning.
So the question remains, should you be a teacher?
The reality is that teaching is more than perks and a sense of self-righteousness about changing the world. The actual nitty gritty of the job can often feel overwhelming. There is a long list of things you may have not thought about or that isn't so apparent when the idea of teaching first comes to mind. First there is a lot of testing, grading, and long hours of preparing materials/lessons. Secondly, every single day you have to be "on". You might be able to go into your 9-5 office job and be in a bad mood and avoid your co-workers for the day, but that is near impossible when you walk into a classroom. Because you expect good behavior from your students, you absolutely have to model it. If you teach in a high school setting, you're faced with essentially entertaining 150-170 people every single day. That in itself can feel overwhelming, especially if you're not prepared. Students can sense your fear and they can read your body language and all of the non-verbal cues. When students enter the classroom, they have expectations of learning and a well planned out class period. They become restless, rude, and unruly when you lack content or classroom management.
That brings me to classroom management. Can you really manage 30+ students? Either all day long, or can you cycle through 150 kids a day? Do you think you can provide a stable and controlled environment with rules and consequences? Can you instill expectations and get results? When you're told no, shut up, or ignored, can you control your temper? If this sounds like something you can do, great! Education needs you. If this sounds like torture or like you might end up losing your cool now and again, find another career path.
If you have a passion for education, a subject area (or all), and for students, these are the main factors that matter. Many times I have met and worked with teachers who seem to be counting down the days to the weekend, to the next break, or to retirement. They are burnt out and are no longer invested in their students. Education needs people who want to be here and want to engage with their students. Having a passion for students is at the foundation of whether or not an educator will be successful. I cannot tell you how many times I've been met with a look of sorrow or pity when asked what grade I teach. At the first mention of high school, people cringe or frown. It is clear that teenagers are not favored in our society.
I honestly cannot tell you why I enjoy working with them either, but I do. I whole heartily enjoy them. I enjoy them when they are rude, disrespectful, and challenging. And I enjoy them more when they are mature, thoughtful, and learning. I get up each morning ready to make it happen. I find myself thinking about what to teach next, how to make assignments more exciting, or ways to be creative with my lessons. I find pleasure in the fact that I can make a student learn a complex concept and see them grow into someone who appreciates what literacy can provide for them.
There is another group of people who seem to be attracted to the field of education. Those seem to be the people that think our youth is in grave need of a savior. Many teachers, especially young teachers are entering the field with ideas of saving the youth. I see teachers continually make the mistake of treating this job like a counseling session or quickly take on the role of friend. You don't have well-structured environments that thrive on expectations and learning with your friends. The line becomes blurred and then several things occur. First you lose a sense of control over the classroom, learning takes a backseat to whatever else is ailing the students, and you also lose momentum. Because your day isn't structured around content, you become more wasteful with time and your energy. The classroom soon becomes a hangout or fun spot. Lessons will be put off in order to talk it out or be there for the students. When we walk in acting and thinking the kids are all falling apart, they also act and think they are falling apart. There is something to be said for mental health and a support system, but those things come in the form of the school social worker and the counselor. These roles already exist and shouldn't take place in your supposed learning environment.
You cannot survive in this field if you get yourself caught up in the minutia of the details. If you're always worried about what the person down the hall is doing, or if you're concerned that administration isn't making the right choices. You won't make it if you're continually irritated by lack of supplies, resources, or funding. You won't last if you're regularly comparing your work ethic to those around you. And finally, this isn't the job for you if you're not here to teach. If you're looking to save and connect with the youth, then maybe try becoming a social worker or counselor. You can be passionate and caring through the lens of providing sound education and opportunities for learning.
So the question remains, should you be a teacher?
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