This week I sent to three 'Curriculum Night' events at my daughters' school. I am completely amazed at teachers. My middle one's in 2nd grade and her teacher talked a mile a minute about the curriculum, how he'd present it, what he expected of them, school values, his philosophy on handwriting and the umteen-zillion ways we can work with our child at home. He did this non stop for 45 minutes. He handed each of us a folder, about 3/8" thick with the stuff we should read about our kid's class. (I got one just as big from the kindergarten class and about have as much from the 4th grade class. At my reading pace I'd say it's about a month of reading.) I was sitting there overwhelmed, thinking I can't possibly do all this great stuff at home for one kid, let alone three! It was overwhelming just thinking of my role as a parent, let alone a teacher of 20-some 2nd and 3rd graders.
What absolutely blew me away was how psyched this young guy (2 years from college) was about teaching. I mean I would need a perfectly thought out and prepared plan for each day of the entire year and I'd still be a wreck thinking about it. I'm sure he doesn't have that, he does it himself, and he obviously loves it. I know it's extremely important and valuable, but how can anyone find this exciting? I'm amazed. I'm sure the thought of sitting at a computer doing CAD work would drive him up a tree too.
So, if you're a teacher, my hat is off to you. You work hard with little reward (at least financially) in a job most of us wouldn't want at twice your salary.
Thank you.
Amen!
The best teachers are those who can't help BUT teach. It's in their blood and if they don't do it, they die emotionally. When they are doing it, it's like a drug.
I think (hope) I have part of this talent and drive.
Yep. Not for the money.
I don't expect that much of parents, but I think teaching does demand that kind of spark.