With that being said, I'll tell you what I'm discovering about being a teacher. The first thing I've discovered is that when I was a student, I had absolutely no idea what my teachers really did. Yeah, I knew that they gave me assignments and tests and then corrected them, but that was/is really just the tip of the iceberg. I didn't know that they also coached, supervised, counseled, learned, sweated, collaborated, and/or cared so much. Teachers are fricken' rockstars. More like rockstar/superheros-minus the drugs and flying, although I think Patty Hildenbrand can fly. That woman is everywhere. Now that I've listed the things that I have learned are added to a teacher's job, I'll explain them in a little more depth.
Teachers as:
- Coaches. Teachers coach inside and outside of their rooms. Inside their rooms, they coach their students' within their content area. They are students' biggest fans, constantly cheering them on and boosting their confidence. They are students' hardest critics, having to give them feedback on everything (because nobody does homework just 'cause), but also turning those critiques into positive learning experiences. Teachers also coach outside of the classroom, sometimes two or three sports per year. That's another two hours after school with these student athletes. It's not easy and it doesn't pay well. They do it for the kids.
- Supervisors. Teachers have to supervise everything. Yes, administrators try to divvy up the workload, but they still have to devote time from their planning hours to supervise students around the school, in transition periods, and at after school functions. This is actually a really awkward job because students are different than kids. Here's a vocal lesson: Students are well-oiled machines that usually do what is expected of them in the classroom. Kids are crazy, hormone-driven hellions that are good at screaming, taking selfies, and giggling. They're not so good at cussing and flirting with each other, but that doesn't stop them from trying. Imagine having to supervise that mess.
- Counselors. Teachers counsel their students, coworkers, and sometimes even parents. It's kind of endearing (although usually sad) when a student comes to you for help, and I think that's something that's just built into a teacher's personality. Coworkers are harder, mostly because you're sympathizing with them because you know exactly how they feel. And then there's parents. This is hard and awkward. It might just be because I'm younger than all of my student's parents, but I feel like I have nothing to offer them but an ear and a shoulder to cry on. Let's hope it will get better as I become older and more experienced.
- Learners! This is my favorite one. I became a teacher because I loved and love to learn. I learn at least one new thing every day. I feel like there's so much out there and I want to absorb everything as fast as I can. That's probably why I have tried to teach myself how to crochet and sew (both didn't end well but I SHALL PREVAIL!). Teachers are supposed to learn constantly. The world of education is constantly changing and there are in services scheduled for teachers to learn about their content, their students, their students' brains, technology, curriculum, assessment, and so much more.
- Sweaters. This is kind of gross, but it's science. We are mammals and we sweat. I perspire more than a normal person (I think I also drink too much water), and I'm always checking for pit stains. I usually just wear two shirts because I know it's inevitable. Teachers walk constantly! I probably do 43 laps around my room each day. And that's just the walking. I also run, jump, dance, slide, and I kneel all the time (to get to eye level with a student in a desk-which I learned is important from an inservice).
- Collaborators. I've heard this has been a big change as of late, but teachers now have to collaborate with EVERYONE else around them. I have at least three meetings a week to collaborate with my team members and other content-area teachers. I love it because I'm new and they teach me gigantic amounts of educational things, but it's a lot of time that we have to take out of our planning time. That time doesn't include the meetings that we have with our administrators, parents, specials, or students.
- Carers (that might not be a thing, but if they are, we are them). Teachers are carers. Yes, there are some teachers that may seem like they don't care, but I think they do deep down inside. They may be frustrated and a little cranky, but that is a sign that they care. In the past year and a half, I can't count how many times I've laughed so hard that I cried or cried so hard that I laughed. I won't lie to you (because you are all strangers and you wouldn't know anyways, right? But really, I won't), I get frustrated almost every day, but every day I am thankful that I work with these students, get to make the impact that I can, and have the best staff around helping me out.
So, what have I discovered in the past two years about the meaning of being a teacher? I've discovered that every teacher has impacted someone, somehow. Being a teacher means that you can make a difference every single day. Not a lot of people in other careers can say that.
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