Whats it like to be a teacher- am I cut out for the job?

Question

Ever since I was real little I always wanted to be a teacher. I had a chalkboard and markerboard, turned my parents' living room into a classroom, always wanted to be the teacher and never the student while playing "school" with my friends, printed out work sheets and I would plan schedules and make worksheets, just anything I saw my teachers do at the time! Even when I was a teenager I still enjoyed playing school! My passion for teaching still continues now that I am older. Every time I see teaching supplies in a store like posters and stuff to decorate a classroom, I just love it... I could look at that stuff for hours! I still love to grade papers and make lesson plans and teach a bunch of kids!! I also love to make up learning games and actual "teach" while having fun. I know that I want to be a teacher, but I don't know if I'm realizing that it's more then just having a passion for it. Everyone keeps telling me the pays bad, and your always working and grading paper and barely get time to spend with your family. I don't want to be bombarded with all this work though(even though I don't mind it) It's just when I have children i want to be able to spend time with them too in the evenings. So my question is, what is it like being a teacher? The ins and outs/ pros and cons? Is it more then just having a huge passion for teaching? What all qualitys do you need to have to be the best teacher I can possible be? I just don't want to go and get my degree in Elementary Education and realize teachings just not for me, and I need to move on. And also, did any of you guys feel this way before you guys became a teacher.. or was I just a weird kid? Lol. Thanks for your help in advance.!

Answer 1

yeah, i'm pretty sure that you'd be a great teacher! but if you like to grade papers, try grading them every single day. and plus, you have to worry about whether their handwriting is sloppy or not. but usually teachers become teachers, because they love kids, they want to educate kids, and they want them to see their minds prosper and grow. as a teacher, you're going to have to deal with noisy kids, rude, and just usually kids who just don't want to learn. it's your job to make it seem like learning is FUN. so your passion and love for making learning games will come in definite handy. i've had two great english teachers. mr. george, and mrs. price. they're both so wonderful and they've helped me all they could.

mr. george was SO hilarious, and that's the main reason why the kids loved him. he'd praise the teens, and somehow they'd just seem to blush in satisfaction. he made learning fun, by making jokes and making funny faces and waving his hands in the air and all. he also made reading time fun, like making funny voices that fit with the characters. yeah, he was wonderful.

and mrs. price, in the beginning of school she told every single one of us in class that she would do the best to help us, and to achieve. if you've ever seen the movie freedom writers, she was seriously just like that teacher. these are teaching teens we're talking about, and teens are pretty hard to teach nowadays since they make smart remarks and they're not all so cute anymore. plus they do drugs, they're starting to get into gangs and violence, alcohol, etc... instead of this happening in high school, it's happening even MORE in middle school which is pretty horrible.

what i'm trying to say is, is that you have to have the heart to become a teacher. you have to be understanding, patient, caring, and passionate about every single one of the kids. if you're struck about the middle schoolers doing drugs and you care, then that's good! (: (btw sorry for the long true story kinda thing lol)

Answer 2

It sounds like you have a passion for teaching.  That's a must in being a teacher.

It is true that the pay isn't as great as some teachers deserve.  This isn't true everywhere, however.  Different school districts, with different levels of affluence around them will have different salaries for their teachers.  Also, most private schools will pay their teachers more than public schools.

As for the family question, I find it hard to believe that the work of a teacher is so much that it ruins family life.  My mother is a teacher and she always had plenty of time for us when we were growing up.

I'm an instructor at a prestigious university, and I have plenty of time for my friends/family.  So, while there might be times where the work gets into family life, that's not the majority.  As with any profession, you're going to have times that are really hectic.

There is a huge shortage of well qualified, passionate teachers in this country.  If you love to teach, there is no nobler profession.  Could the pay be better?  Yes.  Is it worth the small pay cut for the gratification you get from teaching?  I think so.  But, that's a decision you're going to have to make for yourself.

Answer 3

I put my teachers thew h**l. I use to walk out during class in fifth grade and and play. My teacher was so sick of me she just let me. I high school I use to make my teachers cry from my harsh remarks..............I have an excuse. I was an abused child.....I'm over it. Now I'm a mechanical engineer and actor.....Good luck

Answer 4

To be a teacher you need a lot of Patience ,and you have to give attentions to the students,especially ones that lack behind. To teach you have to devote your self to it,and must be prepared to work home at the work that students does in the class room.You already had developed the know how, all you need is the certificate and diploma so you qualify when you graduate ,to get a job in one of the high school of the state ,.Now that you have the desire to be a teacher ,why not grab the chance and try your luck at university.

Answer 5

It really does take a special kind of person to be a teacher.  If you have that much of a passion for teaching, I think you will be great at it.  Some of the pros are:  you will have job security forever - teachers are always needed and are always in short supply; the best health and retirement benefits; summer vacations; actual satisfaction in your job w/ knowing that you've made a difference; lots of scholarship/grant opportunities for college.  

Answer 6

Even if you later decide that teaching is not for you, at least you won't have to wonder for the rest of your life "what if?"  And teaching will better prepare you for being a mother because you'll understand kids better.  A degree and some teaching experience would also look great on your resume for whatever job you'd later decide you want to do.

The first year teaching is always the hardest, and then you probably won't have a lot of time to spend with your family.   But after you learn what you're doing, then you can learn time management skills and still have time to have a life.

When you have children then you can decide that instead of being "the best teacher ever" and devoting all your time to it, that you'd simply be a "good teacher" and let your children take a priority for your free time.  Then once your children are in school, that would make your life a lot easier by being a teacher because then you have the same days off and the same winter/spring break.  Also you'll have the whole summer to spend with them.