Teachers, what do you enjoy about your job?

[Anonymous]

I see so many negative posts about schools, teaching, etc. I hope it's not all bad and there are things you love and enjoy about teaching. Please share! How can we as parents help and support you? Thanks

[Anonymous]

The kids are by far the best part. Communicate with us and accept that your kids aren't perfect.

[Anonymous]

I like seeing kids "get it" and get excited about what they're learning. I enjoy the challenge of trying to plan lessons that will engage students. It's hard work, but it's gratifying.

- Fourth grade teacher

[Anonymous]

I was a teacher for a short time and loved seeing the lightbulb go off, and seeing kids be really kind to each other.

I used to run a "caught in the act" rewards program. If I caught a kid in any of my classes doing something kind (even out of my class) I gave them a paper star. If collectively, the class earned X number of stars by the end of the week, they got a dance party for the last 10-15 minutes of school on Fridays. If you got X number by the end of the month you could trade them in for prizes. I gave Mad Libs, joke books, sheets of stickers, super balls, etc.

[Anonymous]

Middle school English teacher here -- I love the kids -- they're funny, honest, insightful and capable of great kindness. I learn so much from them, and am grateful for the opportunity to play some part in their development as people and as students. I also love reading and talking about books. And, like all English teachers, I'm a grammar freak, so that's also very fun for me. Additionally, I appreciate the opportunity to work in a school that encourages teachers to be creative and innovative. Oh, and my colleagues are fun and smart. I practiced law for 5 years before taking time off to SAHM, then went back to grad school to become a teacher. Love it.

[Anonymous]

I taught high school art and like everyone else, the kids was what made the job enjoyable. Yes, there were difficult students, and in my case, violent and angry students. But having kids start my class thinking they couldnt draw, or were not good at art, but then realize that there's more to art than drawing, and that they COULD be creative and actually enjoyed it! I have several former students that have gone into creative fields, and they have told me it was because of my art class(s).

Also, because I was an art teacher, many "alternative" students came to view me and my classroom as a safe place to be themselves. I've had a few students that came out to me before anyone else in their lives.

That said, it was also a very thankless, underpaid and over worked job. I no longer teach, though I do miss it.

[Anonymous]

I love creating engaging lessons and activities and then seeing the students having fun while they learn. I love seeing kids make progress throughout the year. It's the best when you find out what makes a kid tick and what motivates them and engages them. Before I had my own family I spent so much time creating materials, sponsoring clubs and mentoring students. Now that I have my own kids I can't devote as much time to that anymore which is a shame, but I have to put my own kids before my students. I feel guilty about it every day.

[Anonymous]

Ah -- almost forgot your excellent question about how parents can help and support their kids. Here are some thoughts:


Don't create stress around grades. Every failure is an opportunity to learn. Encourage them to reach out to their teachers for help. Try role-playing how to talk to Ms. X about that C on the test. Once they've spoken with Ms. X, ask them what she recommended they do. If they're in elementary or middle school, send Ms. X and email to see if you've got it straight. Do not accept the answer "This is just developmental." English teachers give this response all too often; math teachers would never get away with that.

Encourage them to read anything and everything. Ask them about what they're reading -- would they recommend it to a friend? Would they read a sequel? Talk to them about what you're reading -- even if you only have a few minutes each day to read, show them how important that time is to you. If your child is not a reader, try to get them talking about TV shows or movies -- you want to develop their capacity for critical thinking and for expressing their thoughts. Also, try graphic novels -- for many non-readers, this is a good way to get them into the habit of reading.

Offer to read their writing and discuss it with them, but as a reader responding to their work, not as an editor. You can say "I loved your introduction" or "this transition was a little confusing to me" or "I would have liked to know more about your thoughts on this character," but under no circumstances should you put pen to paper. This is their work, not yours.

If you're writing anything -- even a thank-you note -- that's an opportunity to show your kids how much drafting and redrafting is involved in good writing. When my own kids (now in college) were in middle and high school, I'd print out drafts and make a big show of marking them up and then recycling them.

Love them unconditionally and encourage them to follow their interests -- note that I'm not using the word "passion" here. That's an overwhelming concept to kids (and adults) and can be paralyzing.

Best wishes for a good year, all!

[Anonymous]

I teach middle school math. I love the relationships with the kids. I love getting creative and making the lessons relevant to the students. I love goofing around at a silly, middle school level. I love knowing that I can help make the most awkward year(s) of their lives a little less painful.

But mostly it's just awesome to be around their energy and spunk all day.

[Anonymous]

Taught first grade back in the day when most kids did not learn to read until they were in first grade. Every year in the Fall, I would say to myself: "never again=--this is my last year." Then, in the Spring, I would look around and see how far the kids had come and how much they had learned. It is a real ego boost for a teacher. So, I would sign up for one more year........

Advice to teachers: Keep some papers from the very beginning of the year for each child. Look at them in May and compare them to the work done at the end of the year. Pat yourself on the back.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for these posts, teachers. I feel like y'all get dumped on so much, but I'm tearing up thinking of the people who've made such a difference to me and my kids.

[Anonymous]

I love the kids. They don't have much (Title 1 school) but they really seem to appreciate whatever they get. I love the kids up until about mid May or early June

[Anonymous]

I love teaching reading and I love reading to kids and laughing together over books.

[Anonymous]

High school teacher. I love watching them become mini adults. You can really tell some of them are going to be firecrackers one day. They're so passionate about whatever stance they take and that's fun to see. I love when they get accepted to college and come in proud to tell everyone. I love when we have a class discussion and it really clicks for them. I love when I see one kid who pretends to be too cool for school read ahead because he actually likes the book. I love when they make connections on their own with things they've read and current events. I even love when they have to ask me like, what it was like on 9/11 since they were all babies/toddlers/not born and don't know. They are really cool people sometimes!

Couldn't teach the little ones though, sorry.

[Anonymous]

1. Christmas gifts
2. Summer vacation