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Mysterious Teaching

Insights behind the perils of being a teacher

Why did you become a teacher?

Well, June, July and August are three good reasons...No, I mean June and July...Oh, I mean June and 2 weeks in July.  Ok, now I have it right.  However, it really didn't answer the question did it?

I became a teacher because the idea of helping children learn seemed to me to be the most rewarding thing a person on this earth could do, next to being a minister.  Since I am a girl and Wisconsin Lutheran, that wasn't an option.

I was actually a nurse first.  It was what I wanted to be the entire time I was growing up.  After 3 years of working for doctors, I discovered my dream walked out the door with my husband.  The doctors were jerks just like he was.  So, I decided to raise my 2 girls on my own and go back to school and become a teacher.  I loved it.  My Mom's family were all teachers.  Two of my sisters are teachers,  my grandparents, aunts, nieces, nephews and some uncles.  I guess it is in my blood.

But, the point I am getting to is this...Why do some people become teachers?  Is it just a job?  Do you like the "part-time" work?  (summers off) What is it that possesses some of you to do this noble work?  There are so many people out there who are just not "called" into teaching but are doing it because they think it is an easy job.  Not, I repeat, NOT an easy job!  You are directing the lives of children and the future.  If you want to impact the world and you have not been "called" to become a teacher, please go work for a recycling plant somewhere.

Teaching is the highest form of service a human can give to mankind.  We are in charge of the future.  If you don't agree, go do something else.  We are here for the kids and the education of kids. 

I am disgusted with people who are 8 hour workers.  They can't stay one second past the desiginated school day for a meeting, staffing, IEP, or anything else.  Then what the heck are they at school for?  If their child is so important that they must leave at 3:00, then stay home for heaven's sake.  Your child probably needs you there anyway. 

School takes a lot of time.  It takes a lot of time away from your family, friends, and life.  It is a calling!  It is something you have to be willing to sacrifice for.  If it is to the benefit of the children, then by heavens, you should be willing to spend a little time on it.

I do not advocate spending ALL your time on it.  Just enough to make sure the children are getting the quality education they deserve.  They are the future.  Some of them will be president of the US one day.  Are you making sure you do a good enough job?  If it is something you don't care about, please, I know a lot of companies out there who are looking to hire certified teachers as trainers for their companies.  Call them.

Published Monday, November 05, 2007 5:56 PM by MysteryTeacher

Comments

 

hotteacher1976 said:

I have a fondness with learning. I always loved school. As I grew older, I wanted to share that love. Where else could I do that? But in a school, of course. The summers off are great, however, my choice was so much deeper than that.

I know it's not an easy job and sometimes I wonder if I'm a masochist or something. But, I've sacrificed five years of a credentialing program for this career (yes I had to stretch it out due to kids, money, etc) as well as two years previously teaching before moving. So, since I'm so far invested into it, I'm not turning my back on it. It is my calling, and I'm proud to say that!

November 6, 2007 5:45 PM
 

hotteacher1976 said:

I have a fondness with learning. I always loved school. As I grew older, I wanted to share that love. Where else could I do that? But in a school, of course. The summers off are great, however, my choice was so much deeper than that.

I know it's not an easy job and sometimes I wonder if I'm a masochist or something. But, I've sacrificed five years of a credentialing program for this career (yes I had to stretch it out due to kids, money, etc) as well as two years previously teaching before moving. So, since I'm so far invested into it, I'm not turning my back on it. It is my calling, and I'm proud to say that!

November 6, 2007 5:45 PM
 

Mimi said:

I couldn't agree more!  Those people who sneak in and out right before and after the children, showing no committment whatsoever should not get to call themselves teachers.  I know everyone has other responsibilities, but becoming a teacher means keeping that as a priority as much as possible.  

I became a teacher because I can't imagine NOT spending my day with children.  I can't imagine going to work everyday and feeling like all I did was sit behind a computer.  Teaching is such an accomplishment and a challenge.  I just wish everyone saw it that way.

Great post!

November 6, 2007 8:26 PM
 

Joel said:

Good stuff indeed. Are there times when I jet out the door? Yes. But they are usually because I am working with students at another campus after school, or because I have the latest doctor/dentist appointment I could get.

Like the comments above, I cannot imagine going to work, punching my timecard, and leaving. Life is too short for that. As I've written before, if I for some reason could not be a teacher by profession, I will always be a teacher.

One of my college professors explained that teaching and telling are two vastly different things. Teaching is an issue of the heart for sure.

November 7, 2007 8:50 PM
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About MysteryTeacher

I am a wild, whacky, weird, wonderful woman and teacher. I am venturing into a previous life by teaching ELL this fall. I use to teach ESL years ago. I am excited, empowered, and employed. I love life.

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