“Should I become a teacher?
What is your response? I really need to hear what you would say.”
My answer would be that it depends on what your purpose is. If you want to be a teacher because:
· You want to be in control.
· You get a steady paycheck.
· You heard that teachers only work 9 months out of the year.
· You heard that it was an easy job.
· You couldn’t find a job doing something else.
My answer would be unequivocally no.
If you want to become a teacher because
· You want to help others.
· You want to make a difference.
· You like being around young people.
· You understand learners because you were one and want to help those who learn like you do.
· You want to teach others things that you feel are important for them to know in order to be independent.
· You feel like it is a truly noble profession and one that you want to be part of.
· You want to learn strategies that will help you teach others.
· You like teaching others how to do things.
· You don’t mind working long hours, long days, and usually many days during your summer vacation.
Then my answer is a resounding yes!
How would you answer this? Please share your thoughts.
Posted on the Successful Teaching Blog by loonyhiker (successfulteaching at gmail dot com).
Original image: 'Introduction to monstering'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/76074333@N00/318034222
7 comments:
I hope this doesn't sound curt, but I would say, "If you have to ask, you shouldn't become a teacher."
I mean this along the same lines as you use in your post. This sounds like someone who wants to be a teacher for the wrong reasons, looking for the "right answer" to a test question.
It depends where your hesitation is. If you are hesitating because teachers don't make much money, but otherwise you want to do it, it may still be a good idea. (It's not a lucrative profession, so I see that as a valid concern.)
Before you think about being a teacher, you need to think about your expectations. Do you expect kids to just listen to you all the time? Do you expect a daily challenge? Do you expect to spend a lot of time outside of school on work? Do you expect to spend at least a little of your own money (and probably more than that) on the class and kids? Will you enjoy being in a room with probably no other adult for 90% of the day? Do you have a passion for at least 1 subject? Do you want to be required to take classes and continue your education throughout your career?
I think the easiest way to tell is to spend some time in a classroom again. It's very different than you'll remember!
I would say, if you have to ask if you should become a teacher, then the answer is NO. This is a profession that either calls to you or it doesn't. If you're not sure it's something you want to do, to the point where you have to ask the opinion of others, then it's probably not for you!
I heard a waitress (who had previously gone through a stint of student teaching and decided it was not for her) said a professor told a class once,"If there is anything else you would love doing, other than teaching, do it. But if the only thing you're passionate about is education, you have no choice..." I can see what probably prompted them to give that advice. Teaching is such a difficult job. It sucks up every bit of energy from you, and there are no perks of the traditional kind. If you kept track of the hours spent after school, before school, and on the weekends, you could make more money at McDonalds...However, it is the only profession I'm passionate about. And at one point in my life, when I didn't think I was going to be able to teach anymore, I sobbed for days. It's the best job in the world!
I agree with "Anonymous." It's a mission, not a job. Some people are called, they are natural teachers. Others...not so much.
When I was going through my Ed Program twenty years ago, one young woman when asked this question replied, "Because I'll get to wear lots of cute outfits." I guess she hadn't heard that teachers are notoriously bad dressers--both because we're poor and because we spend half our time crawling around the floor with the kids. There's a related article called "Quick Start Guide for New Teachers" at mackowiecki.com that kind of picks up where this discussion leaves off.
I still don't have an answer to this question....geez.
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