1. It's dangerous.
Being a teacher, I will possibly be put in the position of protecting students. How dare they make teachers do that? How dare an adult put themselves between harm that could reach a child, an innocent one nonetheless.
2. I'll be a glorified babysitter.
I will go to work every single day and watch children. Beyond teaching, I will have to make sure they don’t harm others or themselves. Some children just don’t get taught respect the way they should, and how should it be my job to teach them that? Turn the next generation into valuable members of the community? Nope, not me.
3. I won't make money.
Let me get this straight…you want me to take care of innocent children and better our world for little pay? The outcome of seeing students succeed and learn could not possibly outweigh the money I receive. My financial success is far more important than the success kids have in life. Count me out.
4. STATE STANDARDS.
So, say I’m okay with all the outrageous expectations of me so far. I’m being pushed from every direction to only teach to the standards. As a teacher, the only thing I will care about is what my students will learn from me. You see, I understand what students should learn and what they should not. That’s going to stop me from the classroom. After all, students only care about what you’re teaching them. They never bring their anxiety, depression or stress to the classroom. I guess I can’t help them with that, so I’m not going to teach if you’re going to control my subject matter.
5. I'll have to wake up early.
You’re messing with how I teach and you’re sending me to babysit, now you want my early mornings? You want to get a normal sleep schedule and wake up when the sun comes up to contribute to society? I can’t possibly get used to being a morning person and making the most of the day. Most careers require that you don’t have to at work until 8 or 9am, sometimes 10. The teacher's work schedule is ridiculous, don’t ask that of me.
6. Kids are terrible.
You won’t catch anywhere near kids. Middle schoolers? I see how they act. I’ve seen the very serious stuff that they must put up with that sometimes makes them act out or be difficult. I don’t want to help them. I don’t want to build relationships with them and help teach them how to properly handle the stress and difficulties in their lives. “Words could never hurt me,” – Yeah, tell me that after a middle schooler calls you evil. You would quit your job right then. After all, kids have no worries and don’t have issues to deal with.
7. I'll get bored.
I’ll have the same schedule every single day. I’m going to get tired of filling the minds of students. I will go through periods of wondering if this is really what I’m supposed to be doing. NO OTHER CAREERS EXPERIENCE THAT. I will never have a mid-life crisis if I’m not a teacher. If I picked a profession that I’m not passionate about I will never lose my passion for it (lol).
Teachers,
Thank you. I see you. I realize you truly do struggle with doing the same thing every day. I’ve heard your advice and I understand there are flaws in the way we educate students. I just want you to know that you picked the right profession. You are making a difference, even if you feel like you should be doing something different. You matter, thank you.
