Teaching
is a special calling. It is not a job well-suited to everyone. In fact, many
new teachers leave within the first 3-5 years of teaching. However, there are
many rewards that come with this oft maligned career. Here are my top ten
reasons why teaching can be a great profession.
1.
Student Potential
Unfortunately,
not every student will succeed in your class. However, this fact should not
keep you from believing that every student has the potential for success. This
potential is so exciting - each new year presents new challenges and new
potential successes.
2. Student Successes
Closely related to the previous pick, student success is what drives teachers to continue. Each student who didn't understand a concept and then learned it through your help can be exhilarating. And when you actually reach that student that others have written off as being unteachable, this can truly be worth all the headaches that do come with the job.
You will never learn a topic better
than when you start teaching it. I remember my first year teaching AP
Government. I had taken Political Science courses in college and
thought I knew what I was doing. However, the student questions just made me
dig deeper and learn more. There is an old adage that it takes three years of
teaching to truly master a subject and in my experience this is the truth.
4. Daily Humor
If
you have a positive attitude and a sense of humor, you will find things to
laugh about each day. Sometimes it will be silly jokes you will make up as you
teach that might get a laugh from your students. Sometimes it will be jokes
that kids share with you. And sometimes students will come out with the
funniest statements without realizing what they've said. Find the fun and enjoy
it!
5.
Affecting the Future
Yes
it might be trite, but it is true. Teachers mold the future each day in class.
In fact, it is a sad fact that you will see some of these students more
consistently day-to-day than their parents will.
6.
Staying Younger
Being
around young people everyday will help you remain knowledgeable about current
trends and ideas. It also helps break down barriers.
7.
Autonomy in the Classroom
Once
a teacher closes that door each day and begins teaching, they really are the
ones who decide what's going to happen. Not many jobs provide an individual
with so much room to be creative and autonomous each day.
8. Conducive to Family Life
If
you have children, the school calendar will typically allow you to have the
same days off as your kids. Further, while you might bring work home with you
to grade, you will probably be getting home close to the same time as your
children.
9. Job Security
In
many communities, teachers are a scarce commodity. It is fairly certain that
you will be able to find a job as a teacher, though you might have to wait
until the start of a new school year and be willing to travel within your
county/school district. While requirements might be different from state to
state, once you have proven yourself a successful teacher, it is relatively
easy to move around and find a new job.
10. Summers Off
Unless you work
in a district that has a year round education system, you will have
a couple of months off in the summer where you can choose to get another job,
teach summer school, or just relax and vacation. Further, you typically get two
weeks off during Christmas/Winter Holidays and one week for Spring Break which
can really be a huge benefit and provide much needed rest time.
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