1. "You’ll Never Make Any Money"
Seriously, stop saying this. If I am happy what I am doing, what does the money matter? I understand I need to be able to support myself, but where would we be if everyone in the world was more concerned about making a buck then doing things like teaching. “If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life.”
2. "You Just Want the Summers Off"
ACTUALLY, while I may not work every week day during the summer most teachers, especially agriculture teachers like I will be, work for the majority of the summer. In my case, I will be attending conferences and meetings, planning out yearly events, attending FFA Camp, and completing SAE visits all throughout the summer. So much for lounging the months away, right?
3. "At least You Get Off Early"
Once again, false. Bus duty, club meetings and practices, parent teacher conferences, and other responsibilities usually happen before and after school. While in theory it may be nice to assume that teachers only work from 8 to 3, in all actuality their day usually starts much earlier and finishes much later.
4. "Kids These Days Are Terrible, Why Would You Do That To Yourself"
This attitude, I believe, is responsible for much of what is wrong with our society. If every single one of us had the idea just to ignore every little thing in life that may be difficult, where would we be? Our society should be grateful that there are still people in this world who would like to make a difference and maybe touch the lives of children who may not have any other positive example in their lives.
5. "You Could Have Done So Much Better Than JUST Being a Teacher"
I think this one hurts me the worst, mainly because it downgrades teaching as a profession. Teaching, in my opinion, could be one of the most important jobs you could have right up next to a doctor. Without teachers, who would educate our future doctors, lawyers, astronauts, and multi-millionaires? They all started somewhere, in a classroom. While my name may never be in lights as a high school teacher, I am educating those who names one day will be in the lights.
What I am not tired of hearing is that I will make a great agriculture teacher.
What I am not tired of hearing is that one day I will touch the lives of my students.
What I am not tired of hearing is that teachers are important.
Lastly, what I am not tired of hearing is that you value my decision to be a teacher.
So, next time you talk to a pre-service teacher, let them know you value their decision. Whether it would be your own decision, tell us positive things rather than negative; because, one day, we may be educating your own children or grandchildren.
