With the current economic downturn, I have many friends who are quitting/ losing their jobs and trying to "make a difference in the world." Many of them are lured by a job that has the summers off and gets out a 3PM-- teaching! I need to be balanced in my discussion of the realities of teaching. Each day I teach a kid something- and usually something about more than just history- about life. I truly feel I make a difference with the students I teach. I also love the process of intellectual growth. I will often teach about a subject I never studied--like the Arab-Israeli Conflict--do a whole bunch of research and then try to make the subject accessible and interesting to a group of 12-13 year olds. I thrive on the challenge. But, all of this comes from a lot of REALLY hard work. Those summers and afternoons "off" are often spent tirelessly preparing for the next school year.
I am not sure why all this is hitting me at once, but I do so much for my students. Just tonight, I wrote about 10 e-mails to students and parents who had a last minute question about my test tomorrow... and of course, I am writing the tests, after all the review sheets, Jeopardy review games, and lessons. This is all while I am taking care of the girls in the dorm... lots of drama tonight- it happens with teenage girls! Off to take brownies out of the oven... just baked for a 14th birthday tomorrow!
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6 comments:
You should absolutely being making 6 figures a year! My friends that teach are the most wonderful people in the world, and SO underappreciated! Keep up the good work.
Sounds like you are an awesome teacher! It can be an exhausting job, but well worth all the time and effort.
Hi! 2 things.
1. I also really want to teach, but that is because everyone in my family (including both parents) were teachers at one time, and my mom still is, and she has the most fun. Also the most work, but I am a lawyer, so it's not like I have a cushy job now. When I was little I would help her grade, give suggestions for English text books & summer reading, help with bulletin boards... It's been an obsession. I kid you not, I have an entire semester of a French class planned out.
2. How do you save 50% of your paycheck!? I am amazed and envious! Are you a dorm parent? (50% of my income goes to rent - good thing I like my neighborhood, haha!)
You sound like such a cool teacher! I would have loved to have someone like you in middle school. Not to mention, I'm sure some the dorm girls are lonely and you cheer them up and make it like a home! Not just anyone can do that!
Kudos for not only teaching but looking after a dorm full of girls. It's not as easy as it seems looking from the outside in.
You have an amazing amount of energy and must have a lot of patience! Do you take vitamins?? Love your blog!
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