Going Into Teaching

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Home : 2003 : October : 24

Going Into Teaching
By Shannon

I think you will enjoy teaching, as long as you go in with realistic expectations. I know a lot of people in other fields who think about becoming teachers. They mistakenly think that as soon as they hit the classroom,
all the long hours, job stress, and nagging superiors will disappear. Well, teaching, like all fields, has its pros and cons. I think one of the hardest things about being new is that you go in very idealistic and have very high expectations for yourself. You think you will be in a warm, fuzzy glow all the time, and that you'll change the world. Well, you get in there and your day-to-day

reality is kids who are two years below grade level, kids with serious behavior problems, tons of paperwork, and irritating pressures from the district/principal/parents/society/politicians. Also, be prepared to spend less time teaching than doing any of the other "outside" jobs.

I think there are a lot of rewards to teaching, but they are more subtle and delayed than you think. For example, I was in agony my whole first year. I had a very difficult class, and in my eyes I was totally failing. It wasn't until my second year, when my previous students still showed appreciation for me, that I felt like I had made a difference.

In short, it's a good career, but go in with your eyes open. Then you'll enjoy it.