This is a little post-for-thought for those that think anyone can be a teacher. This is a post for those that have claimed teaching is easy. This is a little note to those who have ever quoted, "Those who can, do; Those who can't, teach." This is commentary for those who make statements like, "I think I will just become a teacher because it is easy money and hey ... you get paid year round for working 9 months of the year." To all those who feel that way -- here is the truth:
Teachers are magicians!! They are masters at keeping 25+ students in their seats, excited for learning, participating in their education for 7+ hours a day. They balance parents -- helicopter ones and disengaged ones -- with pizazz and grace. They can somehow eat lunch, make photo copies, and calm a crying student over their 20 minute lunch "break." They find a balance between talking and listening. They don't drink nearly enough water each day because the only time they can use the restroom is on 5 minute breaks every 50-90 minutes or during their prep time (50 minutes 1 time a day). They have 27 ways to bring 2nd graders to perfect silence and just as many to make them laugh. They can make a 10th grader reading at a 6th grade level just as excited about reading as the 10th grader reading university texts. They leave school to come home to lesson plans, research, and grading. They sneak in a little time for dinner only to return to lesson plans, research, and grading. Teachers challenge thinking while never telling a child how to think. They enforce rules but also allow mistakes. They find time to coach, mentor, and facilitate extra curricular clubs after school because teachers realize that a student's connection to school is the number 1 predictor of academic success. And, when you figure out how much a teacher actually makes per hour ... they would be better off as an employee of Starbucks!!
So, by God/Allah/Buddah or whomever else you turn your beliefs to, please remember to respect teachers and say "thanks" every now and again.
Teachers are magicians!! They are masters at keeping 25+ students in their seats, excited for learning, participating in their education for 7+ hours a day. They balance parents -- helicopter ones and disengaged ones -- with pizazz and grace. They can somehow eat lunch, make photo copies, and calm a crying student over their 20 minute lunch "break." They find a balance between talking and listening. They don't drink nearly enough water each day because the only time they can use the restroom is on 5 minute breaks every 50-90 minutes or during their prep time (50 minutes 1 time a day). They have 27 ways to bring 2nd graders to perfect silence and just as many to make them laugh. They can make a 10th grader reading at a 6th grade level just as excited about reading as the 10th grader reading university texts. They leave school to come home to lesson plans, research, and grading. They sneak in a little time for dinner only to return to lesson plans, research, and grading. Teachers challenge thinking while never telling a child how to think. They enforce rules but also allow mistakes. They find time to coach, mentor, and facilitate extra curricular clubs after school because teachers realize that a student's connection to school is the number 1 predictor of academic success. And, when you figure out how much a teacher actually makes per hour ... they would be better off as an employee of Starbucks!!
So, by God/Allah/Buddah or whomever else you turn your beliefs to, please remember to respect teachers and say "thanks" every now and again.
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| If you truly want to thank a teacher in this era, you bring them a coffee -- not an apple. Thank you, Mr. Pierce for working from 6:30 am till 9:30 pm the last few days to do planning, grading, and report card writing. You rock. |
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