Category: life experience

 

No one will bring you an apple!

Keep in mind that  I’ve done some private courses at first. Then spending 2 years as a teaching assistant. And finally taking the role of a very “versatile” teacher at an international school.

Here are 5 things no one told me about being a teacher.

At the end of the day it would be nice to hear the word thank you. Working without recognition or appreciation can be draining. Being a teacher is one of those jobs sadly. Everyone expects you to work endless hours to get the job done. With complete disregard to your physical status or personal time.

No matter how large of a class load you have in school. It doesn’t compare to the amount of work that needs to be done outside of school! Research, preparation, marking, lesson planning and assessments. All that is not counted as a part of the job. Which means that you aren’t getting paid for all that hard work. 

As a teacher you have to follow up with every quiz you give, home work you assign and tests you make. Even disciplinary actions and rewards. You have to make weekly plans and write assessments on all of your students on monthly basis. I found this to be tedious very quickly!

I bet that every teacher once thought to himself that he has the worst bunch of students, and for all I know he could be right. Some students are in serious need of discipline. Which requires follow up and a mountain of paperwork to be processed. Not exactly my cup of tea.
This is an issue when the administration doesn’t want to anger a parent even if their kid is down right spoiled.

This new variable was introduced to me when I started working private schools. I didn’t have to deal with this working my previous teaching “gigs”. I’ve learned very quickly that parents in private schools are executive shareholders. And winning them over is a vital part of having a prosperous career as a teacher.
Some parents expect to have long detailed discussions about their kids on daily basis. Others only drop by when their offspring fail an exam. Both are unhealthy and won’t benefit the child as much.

With that being said. I wouldn’t say that teaching is a job without joy. Some students are quite amusing once you get to know them. Seeing them mature and make progress is satisfying. Almost like watching a plant grow.

To me however, teaching is like alcohol (for those who consume it): It can be fun in moderation, but too much of it is bound to get you a hangover!

Have you worked as a teacher before? Do you find this post relevant? Share your experience in the comments section below.