My class last year, and this. I'm going to to third grade with them.
A Few Answers From a Recent-ish Teacher Interview
How long and what have you taught?
I've taught seven years in fourth grade, six in second, and am about to begin my second year of third grade.
What drew you to a
teaching career?
I had a decade in another career
first. I told people who questioned the
pay cut, “I made money. Now I want to
make a difference.” That’s really
why. I want to impact lives and make our
world better, one child at a time. Think
about it. Every President of the United
States once had a second grade teacher.
That could be me. Just think what
flames my passions might ignite! I can't think of a better way to spend a
life.
What did you expect
teaching to be like?
I don’t know that I had particular
expectations as I was already 31 when I began. I was old enough to know I can't see around corners. But I certainly didn’t expect
how very hard and all-consuming teaching is.
Was it different from
what you expected? In what ways?
This job is hard, hard, hard! The finish line constantly changes and you
are continually asked to do and be and accomplish more. You are judged on the performance of students who may have come to you completely unprepared or may have things going on in their brains, or bodies, or at home that we can barely imagine. If you don’t utterly love teaching, forget it. Teaching is the hardest, most rewarding thing
you will ever do, aside from raising your own children. You can’t beat it, if you have a heart for
it. But, you should never, ever count on
it being easy. And, “summers off”? Yeah right.
Did you feel as if
you were "prepared" for your first year of teaching?
Not really . I don’t actually think you
can be. Like most things, you just have
to learn by doing. A good student
teaching experience can begin to prepare you, but there is still something
about being the one ultimately responsible – it makes a difference.
How much energy do you expend in teaching?
An average week is about 55-60 hours of
work. The actual work day requires a lot
of energy, too. But, for me, the kids
are energy givers, so I don’t find that difficult at all. I just love what I do.
Was there ever a time you almost left the teaching
profession?
No. This is my God-given skill and passion. Teaching
is my calling. It’s who I am. If I had a fortune, I would still teach. The only real difference in my life would be
the hiring of a housekeeper. There have,
however, been a few times when I took a mental health day. And, believe me, I really, really needed
it.
What do you think is the single most important factor in
creating a positive learning environment?
Passion, compassion, love, knowledge,
hard, hard work…
OK.
That’s not one. Hmmm…. Love. If you love your students – really
unselfishly love them – it radiates from you and warms all you do. And they learn. They learn to love you back, to love their
peers, how to treat each other, how to act with compassion, how to work hard,
how to be responsible. But, love comes
first. It all springs from love.
Happy back to school everyone. Are you ready?
3 comments:
Fabulous Relyn
I admire great teachers and you are surely one of them.
Love Jeanne
Good interview, love your answers. I moved up from 2nd grade to 3rd grade and kept my class, and then the next year I taught a 3/4 and kept some of my students for a 3rd year. I can see a lot of value in this, I really knew these students, their learning styles, their needs. I knew their parents. It was wonderful.
Good luck with the new year. That is quite a few boys there. I know you are a teacher I would dream of having for my grandson. Definitely have to LOVE.
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