I'm glad I'm a teacher because...

[disney junky]

I get drawn into too many teacher threads, so I’d like to offer my last word. Some of these are very personal…some not. I’m going to try to avoid reading and posting on the more hostile threads from here on out. Teachers, feel free to add your own.

I’m glad I’m a teacher because….

School lunches are cheap, even for adults.

The library is just down the hall and the adult books (not those kind) are hardly ever checked out.

Students keep me honest.

Students keep me humble.

Students keep me from taking myself too seriously.

I get to share my love of literature and language with 100 plus students 180 days a year.

I get to share my love of life with kids all year round.

With my summers off, I’ve learned to hang siding, lay block, paint, wall paper, wire, get a masters, and spend all the time I wanted with my kids.

The vast majority of parents and students appreciate what I try to do.

I’ve learned to appreciate the vast majority of parents and students.

I know where commas go.

Kid share their lives with me through their writing, and I get to read it.

I get into games free.

I honed my announcing skills in front of hundreds of people.

I had my own kids in class.

I never missed my kid’s events.

My kids could never lie to me about homework.

I knew my kids’ friends and their parents really well.

I knew my kids’ teachers personally.

I’ve seen and known division I athletes before they were division I athletes.

I don’t think I ever had a boring day (except in-service programs).

If I’m having a boring day, I can change it.

I’ve met authors, Viet Nam POW’s, WWII Vets, Korean War Vets, and a lot of just plain great people.

I had the lieutenant governor’s daughter in class and was asked to keep an eye on her because the negative campaigning might have been affecting her.

I’ve learned to be a travel agent for hundreds (planning class trips).

I get to go on class trips free (providing I look after hundreds of kids).

I’ve learned sales techniques heading up more fundraisers than I care to count.

I’ve been able to hone my stand up skills.

I can laugh when someone says teachers teach because that’s all they know how to do.

I’ve been able to support my family while my wife stayed home with the kids when they were young, with opportunities to supplement my income.

I’ve coached my son, and embraced him after his highest and lowest athletic moments.

I have been exposed to some of the most brilliant minds, and I was teaching most of them, humbly.

I learned that most teachers hate teacher strikes more than parents.

Last night at the pizza place, a former student was telling me the joys and fears of being the father of a one year old.

We take every kid. We don’t discriminate.

Thanks for reading. Have a great day and a great school year.

 

[TallSmartie]

You sound like a wonderful, caring teacher. Would you consider moving to CT to teach my kid?

 

[grinningghost]

I'm going to print this for my DD and her boyfriend, who are both planning on teaching after college. Thank you.

 

[JoyG]

Teaching is the closest thing I'll get to knowing what it feels like to be a celebrity.

I get recognized in public everyday by local children!

 

[isyne4u]

I'm glad I'm a teacher because:

I can see kids grow in their abilities in 10 months.

I can help kids who live in a KOA camp ground during the winter (and who knows where in the summer), have a safe place to go where things are stable for at least 6 hours a day.

I'm just glad to be a teacher!!!

tara

 

[pooksma]

Before I started this year I went back and dug out my portfolio. I read through all of the kind notes, the thank yous and letters from parents and students. Its nice to know you are appreciated.

One of my proudest moments came this year when one of my students wrote me a letter saing that even though my classes were tough and I was strict, this had been the best year ever. She now wants to be a teacher and spend the day with me on "Take your kids to work Day".

 

[paintnolish]

disney junky- What a wonderful and inspiring post! I am an adult who has just returned to school to be a teacher. Do you teach English? I am going for a Secondary Ed degree in English.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Oh, that is a wonderful post. I pray I get my own classroom next year. This is going to be a long year. I hope to get lots of experience subbing, but pray for my own classroom.

 

[JulieWent]

I'm with you. I don't even open a post if it's about someone's horrible teacher. Teachers need thick skin, but they also need to stay away from baiting conversations.

What I love about teaching:

No two days ever the same.

My inclusion class is reading The Odyssey. On Friday, they "got it!" These are kids who are just learning to read, but now they're also learning to think! Yay kids!

I am still in touch with students I taught fifteen years ago.

I am now teaching my son's friends.

Some of my colleagues now are former students.

Last year five of my graduating seniors came back and said, "I want to be a teacher."

Every day I make a difference to somebody. (Granted, it isn't always a happy difference, but I try.)

I'll admit it, I do like being off at the same time my son is off. (But that's not why I became a teacher.)

My students make me laugh (a lot).

There are a lot of other teachers like me out there.

Thanks for being one of them!
Julie

 

[Stepharoonie!]

My dh thinks I should become an English or creative writing teacher...maybe I'll look into that...

 

[wdwmom2]

I need to have my DD read this thread. She is in her last year of elementary education. OMG, she's not my baby anymore

 

[Feralpeg]

If I get the chance to make a positive difference in just one child's life, I will consider my time as a teacher a success.

 

[Laz]

I can make a difference.

And June, July, and August!

 

[I Love Pluto]

If I get the chance to make a positive difference in just one child's life, I will consider my time as a teacher a success.

Perfectly put - I couldn't have said it better! Teachers live for those moments when we are told that we did make a difference. I think that's why we went into the field in the first place.

 

[Kitty 34]

Teaching is the closest thing I'll get to knowing what it feels like to be a celebrity.

I get recognized in public everyday by local children!

I know what you mean and for me I'm a substitue teacher so I get recognized from kindergarten to beyond high school! I always feel bad when they remember who I am but often time, especially if I taught a child just a couple of times, I forget who they are.

I also have to say I loved subbing as I got to be in my sons' classes here and there all throughout their education which was a lot of fun. I got to know their friends better and was aware of their strengths and weaknesses more as far as schoolwork. Being good friends with many of their teachers was an added plus!

 

[Loves Disney]

Well this has been the best thing I've read all week! lol, I plan on becoming an English teacher for secondary education after college and reading that first post just made me realize that it's something I really DO want to get into.

 

[Feralpeg]

One of my students came up to me the other day and said "Do you realize that I have a C in your class?". My first inclination was to feel bad, but they he said something that made my day. He said "No, you don't understand. A C is great for me. I never get grades higher than a D." He thanked me and told me he really like my class. This is a boy that struggles in everything. I was thrilled. Since I've only been teaching at this school for three weeks, I don't know the history on every student. When I approached other teachers about him, they told me that a C is wonderful for this kid. This is the stuff that makes it all worthwhile.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

I just sent this thread to a couple of my friends..we are all seniors in college, graduating in may with a degree in early childhood education...
These are the reasons I want to be a teacher : I love seeing the faces when something clicks and they understand what im teaching

 

[Liberty Belle]

Teaching is the closest thing I'll get to knowing what it feels like to be a celebrity.

I get recognized in public everyday by local children!

Isn't that the best?! I love it when they come up to me in the grocery store, give me a hug, and say, "Mrs. V, what are you doing here?!" As if I were tethered to the school.

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Thanks for this post, I LOVED reading it! I am a Junior Early Childhood Montessori education major. It gave me a lot to look forward to!