The Truth About Teaching
They don’t tell you in college that no matter how hard you try, you will inevitably fail as a teacher.
There are times when I wonder WHY IN THE WORLD am I here? WHAT am I doing? I’ve learned
the following things during my teaching career:
There are times when I wonder WHY IN THE WORLD am I here? WHAT am I doing? I’ve learned
the following things during my teaching career:
1. There is a such a thing as a stupid question!
One time…ALL THE TIME…I was writing something under the document camera in my journal and I
had a student ask… Do we write that down? I’ve learned not to even answer that question anymore
and let the kids who have common sense answer for me. WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU NOT
WRITE THIS DOWN WHEN I TOLD YOU TO TAKE OUT YOUR JOURNAL AND PENCIL? I
understand that they are only in elementary, but SERIOUSLY! Usually, there is always someone who
answer the question for me and I don't have to acknowledge it.
had a student ask… Do we write that down? I’ve learned not to even answer that question anymore
and let the kids who have common sense answer for me. WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU NOT
WRITE THIS DOWN WHEN I TOLD YOU TO TAKE OUT YOUR JOURNAL AND PENCIL? I
understand that they are only in elementary, but SERIOUSLY! Usually, there is always someone who
answer the question for me and I don't have to acknowledge it.
2. One way to get a kid to stop doing something is to STARE at them.
Once they realize that you are looking at them, they get the idea that they should probably NOT be
talking, or walking around the classroom, or be going to their backpack, or be tapping a pencil on their
desk just to annoy the kid next to them.
talking, or walking around the classroom, or be going to their backpack, or be tapping a pencil on their
desk just to annoy the kid next to them.
3. Stop in mid-sentence to get their attention.
That really confuses them. One second, you’re telling them to “turn to page 124 and then get out
your…” GET OUT YOUR WHAT???? I don’t know, maybe if you would listen then you would know
what you’re supposed to take out.
your…” GET OUT YOUR WHAT???? I don’t know, maybe if you would listen then you would know
what you’re supposed to take out.
4. You have to repeat yourself A MILLION TIMES!
No matter what I say or what I do, I cannot get every child in my class to follow directions at one
time…even after I have said the same thing 3 times and had them repeat what I just said. It baffles
me how many students just don’t seem to get it.
time…even after I have said the same thing 3 times and had them repeat what I just said. It baffles
me how many students just don’t seem to get it.
5. Kids are just flat out mean!
One second, they are best friends and the next, they are slapping their “friend” in the face or saying
something about their momma. I don’t have enough time in the day to put out all those fires.
something about their momma. I don’t have enough time in the day to put out all those fires.
I can’t tell you how many times a kid comes up to me complaining about the microscopic dot that is painful on their tiny fingers. I always say, “Unless it’s bleeding, you’re fine.” My feet hurt, my head hurts, my back hurts...OH REALLY? Try standing all day, rushing from one end of the school to the other to pick up copies from the copy room, trying to fit in one minute to use the restroom and MAYBE eat my lunch, and then realize that I am late picking them up from specials or from lunch. My back and feet hurt from standing all day. My head hurts from screaming at you to be quiet and the fact that I am having to repeat myself a million times before you ACTUALLY do what I’m telling you to do. My solution to their headache problem is for them to go get water. My solution for the microscopic dot on their finger is to say, “AWWW you’ll be fine.” My solution for their feet hurting is telling them to sit down and rest their feet. I’m only one person…I can’t put all my attention into you all day. My solution to their head hurting is telling them to get a little extra water after recess and lunch.
7. Sometimes, you don't want to go to work
And that's okay, but you don't need to show it. Your students need to know that you love and care about them even if you don't want to be there at that time.
8. I am ALWAYS behind
It's not that I don't try by best to get things done on time and get home early on Friday, but it's nearly impossible. With papers to grade, parents to call, lesson plans, and copies, I can't seem to ever be caught up on anything.
9. Teaching is HARD!
No matter how hard you try, it will always be a task to get lesson plans done ON TIME, copies made, and get kids to pay attention during your lesson.
10. Teaching is a Passion
If you're going to be a teacher, you have be passionate about molding young minds. This is not just any job that you brush off. You have be able to think on your feet and be flexible when times get tough.
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