Being a teacher is one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had.
I've learned so much about myself as both an educator and individual. My perspective on children has completely shifted, and I've had so many valuable experiences because of it. My friends are constantly pointing out things about me and joking that it's the teacher side of me coming out. Once I got to thinking, there are definitely things that all of us teachers have in common. Here are eight of them!
1. Teacher voice.
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We all have the teacher voice we use when disciplining, comforting, or teaching our students. And sometimes it can slip out during casual conversation outside of work. It's not our fault! It's hard to snap out of teacher mode right after work, especially since we're teachers more than we are individuals. Sad to say but our teacher voice isn't going anywhere.
2. Our definition and everyone else's definition of sleeping in.
Like I mentioned in sign #1, teachers are teachers Monday through Friday, with a set busy schedule. We're in bed by ten and up with the sun. Weekends are unfortunately no exception to this rule. So if you plan on spending the night with a teacher, just know that we will be waking you up by 9, singing songs, and wondering how it is we slept in so late.
3. You're working even when you're not on the clock.
Whether it's lesson planning, researching teaching strategies, or prepping materials for your lessons, teaching doesn't end once the bell rings. It's a demanding profession that requires much more than just in the classroom time.
4. You talk about your students as if they are your children.
Whether Ana was especially weepy all day, (which you attest to her parents putting her down late for bed), or Ben making a huge breakthrough in that thing you've been working on for months, your students really are your children. And your closest friends or significant others probably know plenty about them too. We don't care if they care, just that we got to share the goofy/gross/cute thing one of our students did. (I would like to personally apologize for talking my boyfriend and friends ears off, perks of loving a teacher!)
5. You're up to date on all of the kid shows.
Paw patrol? Yup. Octonauts? Mhm. Doc Mcstuffins? Absolutely! Kids are constantly talking about the latest cartoon/movie/song so it's hard not to know all of it. And chances are the songs are probably running through our heads most of the day.
6. Your hands are never stain free and you probably have glitter on you.
Marker, paint, pen, whatever it is, it's probably stained your hands. And at some point in the day you either did a project involving glitter, a child with glitter hugged you, or it appeared from wherever glitter hides and stuck itself to your face/clothes/hair. It's just one of those things that will never change about being a teacher.
7. Hand sanitizer is your best friend.
Let's face it, kids are walking germ pools with busy hands that are constantly touching, including you! And hand sanitizer is your best friend upon entering and leaving the classroom.
8. Office supplies & arts and crafts supplies excites you.
The dollar section at Target, The Dollar Tree, Staples, Michaels etc. These words all send goosebumps up the arms of teachers everywhere. There's just something special about knowing there are endless possibilities for projects and classroom decorations when entering one of these stores.
So if you're friends with a teacher, dating a teacher, or meeting a teacher for the first time, just know that these things will probably come up at one point or another.
But enjoy it, because often teachers are some of the kindest and genuine people you'll meet.
