What's it like to be a teacher?

 

Let’s look at this article entitled Love Teaching  It comes from Education World. This article discusses what teaching is like and who should and shouldn’t do it. The essays are written by teachers who answer the question, “If you had it to do all over again, would you still become a teacher?”

The article tells about how most think they want to teach; they love kids; or they have kids and want to coordinate the family's schedules; or they remember a teacher who changed their lives; or they want to change lives; or they hate corporate life; or….

The article talks about classroom control, what it is like to communicate with parents, deal with a profession that is not considered the best by a lot of people, and how hard it is to raise a family on a teacher’s salary.

Should you consider teaching? What are the pros and cons? Listen to the voices of the teachers who can tell you why they considered teaching and how it has turned out for them.

• For love or money by Kevin Jarrett
• A World of Young People by Laurie Wasserman
• What Would You Rather Do? By Sarah Cooper
  An Opportunity, A Challenge, A Responsibility by Judith Donahoe Smith
• Why Teach? By Teresa Bell Kindred
• No Regrets by Bernie Poole
• One Wonderful Teacher Leads to Another by Kathleen Cave
• Not Just a Job! By Linda Villadoniga
• The Right Reasons by Robin Smith
• The Students Are the Best Part of the Job by Peter Bissinger
• Teaching As Sacred as Priesthood by Dorothy Small
• A Reciprocal Process By Fernando Mesquita
• No Better Job in the World By Lisa Westrick
• The Students Are the Best Part of the Job by Peter Bissinger

The answers are honest and to the point. As you read their essays, what are the thoughts that are running through your mind? Are you inspired?  Share your hopes, your fears, and your reactions to what they have to say.

 

Comments

[Mary]

The article For Love or Money made me think about the reasons why I want to become a teacher. A couple of things that have kept me from deciding whether or not I want to become a teacher is the money and what my family wants me to do. But when I read the article it made me realize that I need to do what I want to do. The article made me realize that no one else has a say in what I want to do with my life it's up to me.

[Karen]

The article, "For Love or for Money" by Kevin Jarret, made think about how much people can love teaching and interacting with children. I think it was a really good decision for him to follow his dream of becoming a teacher and having an imapct on other peoples life. I agree with Mr. Jarret I think that people should follow their dreams no matter what or who wants to stop you from succeeding. I think this article is really good and teches people a lesson!

[caitlin]

Hi, this is Caitlin from Ms. Stamps class and I was wondering if you could read a comment that was left on my typepad from a woman named "Paula". I dont know if what she is saying is real or not so before I respond, I would like to know what you think.
Thanks
Caitlin

[Kevin Jarrett]

Hey Anne,

Thanks for mentioning my article and I'm thrilled it's of some use in your Teacher Cadets program. I'm finishin my third year and still every bit in love with teaching as I was the first day. Politics will take their toll on everyone at some point, but as I often say, if I could just lock my door I could spend 80 hours a day with my students. I can't imagine a more rewarding career. It was the right choice for me!

Best, kj