Teachers, what for you is the most rewarding part of your job?
I'm a student and I've spent the past 4 months doing co-op in a Kindergarten class and though it wasn't in the slightest bit easy it's far more rewarding to me than it is stressful. Things that I love most about being there are seeing their creativity, the hilarious things they come up with, how they interact with each other and most of all the amazing feeling I get inside when I teach them something new (education or life skills) and they get all excited about their new found information. These kids are so genuine and much smarter than when I was in elementary school. I'm honestly so fascinated with the early childhood mind. They have been so sweet to me and tomorrow is my last day with them. I'll miss the staff and students and will definitely cherish the experience as it not only affirmed my feelings of wanting to be a Kinder teacher but also taught me a lot of valuable things about younger people, adults (some parents are quite characters), and myself as well. I'm wondering what you most love about your job and also how did you feel before you started and once you first started? I scroll through this sub a lot because I’m going to school to be a teacher but I see almost nothing but negativity and it’s discouraging. I know things are particularly hard and stressful right now but I have to ask, what made you want to become a teacher? Do you like it overall? What are the best parts? Why did you choose to become a teacher?
I have just started studying education and I would like to know why you chose to pursue this career choice? My first two years I taught in an inner-city charter school that has a 90% staff turnover every two years. I loved my colleagues and my students, but the inexperienced administrators were abusive. I was also taking classes and finishing my Masters degree and was working 60+ hours a week. I survived because I found a few colleagues that I could connect with and we formed an invaluable support network at work. With a lot of grit and determination, I stuck it out and got a job in an incredible district.
Unfortunately, at my new job I was the "new girl" and the two women I had to work with put me through an experience that can easily be described as hazing. I was bullied, tormented, verbally abused, and I couldn't go to my direct supervisor because he formerly taught with these two women and was friends with them. Therapy was the best thing I could have done for myself. It gave me the tools necessary to understand and better my situation. I learned how to assert myself in situations with the two women and I found new colleagues and friends who provided much-needed emotional support.
In the meantime, I was looking for alternative jobs in and out of district but knew the grass wouldn't always be greener. Edited to add: I stayed positive and focused on my day to day interactions with my students. Over two years things improved, and I was immensely lucky that these women left for different positions in and out of district. I've since found my niche by maintaining healthy relationships with positive-minded and supportive colleagues, advising a few student clubs that connect with my personal interests, by applying and practicing the skills I learned in therapy, and maintaining a positive and growth-oriented mindset.
I love what I do. I've always loved working with high school kids and inspiring a new generation of scientists. I love being a part of a movement to foster a supportive, inclusive, and loving atmosphere for students and colleagues. I love professional development and learning about improving my skills as a teacher. I love developing fun lesson plans. I love being in the classroom, and I love hanging out with kids after school talking about common interests.
If you're in your first five years of teaching and you find yourself struggling, please don't give up. I would not trade my job for another, even though the first years were periodically lonely, challenging, and depressing. You're not alone and you can do it! What makes a teacher engaging, inspiring, and memorable? As per my question, I had a Math teacher in high school whom taught Maths like as though it was a piece of cake. She would reach out to weaker students and teach them individually after school despite being the head of math department. Strict yet loving & the smartest teacher I have known. Positive side to becoming a teacher?
I really want to get into the teaching profession. For many different reasons, but all of the articles I find are all negative towards the profession. I was hoping some people might have some positive insight as it's been hard to find and teaching is something I still want to do even after reading all the negativity. I hope there are some positives and upsides people can still discuss instead of just reading the negatives all the time.Thank you in advance. Coming from someone who wants to be a teacher, do you all actually feel like you make a difference? Is it worth it?
When I was in high school some of my teachers looked more stressed than the actual students, and I want to teach because I feel like I can make a difference and impact someones life, but I wanted to get an opinion from people who actually teach or have taught. Is it worth it? Do you actually feel like you're making a difference? Sorry if this is in the wrong subreddit or has been asked before. Why the heck do people decide to become teachers?
The pay is terrible, children can be cruel, working conditions suck, you have to deal with neglectful or abusive parents, your work comes home with you every day...I just do not understand why anyone would make this a career unless they were already financially stable and did this in retirement because their spouse is rich or they were retired.
I have just started studying education and I would like to know why you chose to pursue this career choice? My first two years I taught in an inner-city charter school that has a 90% staff turnover every two years. I loved my colleagues and my students, but the inexperienced administrators were abusive. I was also taking classes and finishing my Masters degree and was working 60+ hours a week. I survived because I found a few colleagues that I could connect with and we formed an invaluable support network at work. With a lot of grit and determination, I stuck it out and got a job in an incredible district.
Unfortunately, at my new job I was the "new girl" and the two women I had to work with put me through an experience that can easily be described as hazing. I was bullied, tormented, verbally abused, and I couldn't go to my direct supervisor because he formerly taught with these two women and was friends with them. Therapy was the best thing I could have done for myself. It gave me the tools necessary to understand and better my situation. I learned how to assert myself in situations with the two women and I found new colleagues and friends who provided much-needed emotional support.
In the meantime, I was looking for alternative jobs in and out of district but knew the grass wouldn't always be greener. Edited to add: I stayed positive and focused on my day to day interactions with my students. Over two years things improved, and I was immensely lucky that these women left for different positions in and out of district. I've since found my niche by maintaining healthy relationships with positive-minded and supportive colleagues, advising a few student clubs that connect with my personal interests, by applying and practicing the skills I learned in therapy, and maintaining a positive and growth-oriented mindset.
I love what I do. I've always loved working with high school kids and inspiring a new generation of scientists. I love being a part of a movement to foster a supportive, inclusive, and loving atmosphere for students and colleagues. I love professional development and learning about improving my skills as a teacher. I love developing fun lesson plans. I love being in the classroom, and I love hanging out with kids after school talking about common interests.
If you're in your first five years of teaching and you find yourself struggling, please don't give up. I would not trade my job for another, even though the first years were periodically lonely, challenging, and depressing. You're not alone and you can do it! What makes a teacher engaging, inspiring, and memorable? As per my question, I had a Math teacher in high school whom taught Maths like as though it was a piece of cake. She would reach out to weaker students and teach them individually after school despite being the head of math department. Strict yet loving & the smartest teacher I have known. Positive side to becoming a teacher?
I really want to get into the teaching profession. For many different reasons, but all of the articles I find are all negative towards the profession. I was hoping some people might have some positive insight as it's been hard to find and teaching is something I still want to do even after reading all the negativity. I hope there are some positives and upsides people can still discuss instead of just reading the negatives all the time.Thank you in advance. Coming from someone who wants to be a teacher, do you all actually feel like you make a difference? Is it worth it?
When I was in high school some of my teachers looked more stressed than the actual students, and I want to teach because I feel like I can make a difference and impact someones life, but I wanted to get an opinion from people who actually teach or have taught. Is it worth it? Do you actually feel like you're making a difference? Sorry if this is in the wrong subreddit or has been asked before. Why the heck do people decide to become teachers?
The pay is terrible, children can be cruel, working conditions suck, you have to deal with neglectful or abusive parents, your work comes home with you every day...I just do not understand why anyone would make this a career unless they were already financially stable and did this in retirement because their spouse is rich or they were retired.
