What do you enjoy most about teaching?

[Anonymous]

I love figuring out what is holding a kid back in academics and getting them where they need to be. There's a lot of science behind it. It's fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m considering a career change to teaching and these comments are refreshing. I’ve done multiple searches on this board and I’ve found a lot of complaints from current teachers. I hope my kids get more teachers like those that commented above!

PP, heed the suggestions by others to test out this thought first before making the plunge. If you can, take a 2-3 month leave from your current job and sub during that time. I love teaching, I've been doing it a long time and I'm great at it but I am dismayed and appalled at how many people do a ton of work to get certified and then are only around a year or two before they leave the profession. Teaching is a very difficult job and the small things that I enjoy about teaching probably would not be big enough pros to most people to outweigh the cons. Consider subbing first and then make your choice from a position of more information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Introverted teacher here. The ridiculous number of meetings is exhausting to me especially since most of them don't need to be meetings at all. Ever seen that meme, "Another meeting that should've been an email?" Yeah, that. I love my students and they love me. There aren't too many jobs like that.

Many industries have cut down on meetings. Why is teaching still so reluctant to do so?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Introverted teacher here. The ridiculous number of meetings is exhausting to me especially since most of them don't need to be meetings at all. Ever seen that meme, "Another meeting that should've been an email?" Yeah, that. I love my students and they love me. There aren't too many jobs like that.

Many industries have cut down on meetings. Why is teaching still so reluctant to do so?

You could've fooled us because education seems like it is turning into a business with the constant streams of data. That's what the meetings are all about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m considering a career change to teaching and these comments are refreshing. I’ve done multiple searches on this board and I’ve found a lot of complaints from current teachers. I hope my kids get more teachers like those that commented above!

There are only two pages of responses from people who are most likely in the Pollyanna category. Don't base your career change on a few who may or may not be truthful. (or who may not really understand the bigger picture of this mess we call education)

DP here and I agree with the above. The teachers talking about their joy in being with students all day is NOT the norm. Yes, of course it's true that most teachers do genuinely like kids, but in truth at the end of most any school day, it is much more common to see teachers making remarks like "yea, they're gone!" and this even comes from teachers who are highly regarded.

So what? I feel that way when I drop my kid off at school. Being around kids is hard, exhausting work. Doesn't mean I don't love being a parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m considering a career change to teaching and these comments are refreshing. I’ve done multiple searches on this board and I’ve found a lot of complaints from current teachers. I hope my kids get more teachers like those that commented above!

There are only two pages of responses from people who are most likely in the Pollyanna category. Don't base your career change on a few who may or may not be truthful. (or who may not really understand the bigger picture of this mess we call education)

The question was "What do you enjoy most about teaching?" Obviously the responses will be positive. That doesn't make them Pollyannas. If you want teachers to list the pros and cons of teaching, then start your own thread, PP.

[Anonymous]

I love my subject, and I love sharing it with my high school students. I also enjoy being with them: they are so sweet and funny and lovely, and every day has surprises. I think they keep me feeling young

Now, the administration, especially our bully of a principal and his ridiculous, destructive directives, on the other hand, make me want to quit on a regular basis.

[Anonymous]

Running into former students who thank you, even if they were awful at the time. It’s a good feeling that you made a difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love my subject, and I love sharing it with my high school students. I also enjoy being with them: they are so sweet and funny and lovely, and every day has surprises. I think they keep me feeling young

Now, the administration, especially our bully of a principal and his ridiculous, destructive directives, on the other hand, make me want to quit on a regular basis.

Are you in VA? This bullying law may interest you:
http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?181+sum+HB1044

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love my subject, and I love sharing it with my high school students. I also enjoy being with them: they are so sweet and funny and lovely, and every day has surprises. I think they keep me feeling young

Now, the administration, especially our bully of a principal and his ridiculous, destructive directives, on the other hand, make me want to quit on a regular basis.

The public doesn’t realize how many bullies there are among public school admin staff. These monsters are usually polite to students and parents, but are abusive to teachers and other school employees.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love my subject, and I love sharing it with my high school students. I also enjoy being with them: they are so sweet and funny and lovely, and every day has surprises. I think they keep me feeling young

Now, the administration, especially our bully of a principal and his ridiculous, destructive directives, on the other hand, make me want to quit on a regular basis.

The public doesn’t realize how many bullies there are among public school admin staff. These monsters are usually polite to students and parents, but are abusive to teachers and other school employees.

Thus the passage of House Bill 1044.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m considering a career change to teaching and these comments are refreshing. I’ve done multiple searches on this board and I’ve found a lot of complaints from current teachers. I hope my kids get more teachers like those that commented above!

There are only two pages of responses from people who are most likely in the Pollyanna category. Don't base your career change on a few who may or may not be truthful. (or who may not really understand the bigger picture of this mess we call education)

DP here and I agree with the above. The teachers talking about their joy in being with students all day is NOT the norm. Yes, of course it's true that most teachers do genuinely like kids, but in truth at the end of most any school day, it is much more common to see teachers making remarks like "yea, they're gone!" and this even comes from teachers who are highly regarded.

So what? I feel that way when I drop my kid off at school. Being around kids is hard, exhausting work. Doesn't mean I don't love being a parent.

Exactly. I think most people are excited/happy/relieved at the end of their work day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m considering a career change to teaching and these comments are refreshing. I’ve done multiple searches on this board and I’ve found a lot of complaints from current teachers. I hope my kids get more teachers like those that commented above!

There are only two pages of responses from people who are most likely in the Pollyanna category. Don't base your career change on a few who may or may not be truthful. (or who may not really understand the bigger picture of this mess we call education)

DP here and I agree with the above. The teachers talking about their joy in being with students all day is NOT the norm. Yes, of course it's true that most teachers do genuinely like kids, but in truth at the end of most any school day, it is much more common to see teachers making remarks like "yea, they're gone!" and this even comes from teachers who are highly regarded.

So what? I feel that way when I drop my kid off at school. Being around kids is hard, exhausting work. Doesn't mean I don't love being a parent.

Exactly. I think most people are excited/happy/relieved at the end of their work day.

True. Same as nursing or other “noble professions”.

[Anonymous]

I love the challenge of it and the creativity involved. I don't like having so much time off but it is a relief and a chance to recharge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love my subject, and I love sharing it with my high school students. I also enjoy being with them: they are so sweet and funny and lovely, and every day has surprises. I think they keep me feeling young

Now, the administration, especially our bully of a principal and his ridiculous, destructive directives, on the other hand, make me want to quit on a regular basis.

The public doesn’t realize how many bullies there are among public school admin staff. These monsters are usually polite to students and parents, but are abusive to teachers and other school employees.

YES.
- APS teacher