Ah, Secondary Education: English. It's one major, two areas of study, and a whole lot of writing. It's the most aggravating yet amazing decision I've ever made. It marries the practical and the theoretical, the tangible and the abstract, and my introverted, literature loving self with my extroverted, people loving self. It also gives me the opportunity to inspire a love of reading and writing in the next generation. However, sometimes it can get a little hard to handle. So you may need to write up some procedures and lesson plans to deal with these daily occurrences if you live the life of a Secondary Ed English major.
1. When someone inevitably asks you if "Secondary Education" means you're going to teach Second Grade.
That would be Early/Elementary education, my friend, but good try.
2. Or you get, "Why would you want to teach high school?"
What? Why would you ask this question? Because I want to! Why do accounting majors want to do people's taxes? I don't question your major.
3. Or, even, "I hate English."
That's why I'm studying it and you aren't! Amazing! I've even had a dental hygienist tell me, "English teachers are always boring." Girl, no one likes your hands in their mouth either so I fail to see your point.
4. When someone asks if your final is just coloring.
Okay, I've never once colored in any of my education classes. You just took a dumb stereotype and devalued all of the work I put into my degree so far to make an unfunny joke. When was the last time you wrote a 40 page paper? Oh you never have? I did yesterday.
5. Trying to keep all of your clearances up-to-date so you can do field placements and student teach.
So much paperwork. So much photocopying. So much money.
6. Realizing you have a unit plan for your education class and a 15 page paper due for your English class the same week.
Whose idea was it to combine these majors anyway? Oh yeah. Mine.
7. The non-stop joke "oh you're gonna be an English teacher! I better watch my grammar around you!"
Not only have I heard that joke 5,000 times, but I am also not judging you for putting a preposition at the end of a sentence.
8. Endlessly being asked to proofread people's papers.
I'm busy and I don't have time to read your paper. In reality, I'll still say yes. But just know, in my mind, I'm saying no.
9. Building your classroom library.
I literally cannot stop buying books. And people keep giving me books. And I'm not complaining. Keep 'em coming, people.
10. You have at least one teaching board, if not more, on Pinterest.
Personally, I have nine, including but not limited to, "Reading and Writing," "Classroom Management," "Teacher to be," and "Teacher Outfits." Follow me on Pinterest here!
11. Being very opinionated about the Oxford Comma.
If you aren't sure what the Oxford comma is, it's the last comma in a list of things, commonly seen before the word "and."
11. Sitting in your education classes listening to your teachers give advice that only applies to elementary education majors.
THIS. DOES. NOT. HELP. ME.
12. Not having time to read for fun, one of the main factors that inspired you to teach English.
You just wanted to show students how fun reading can be, and now you don't even have time to do it yourself. Don't worry, you can read over break.
13. Being able to decode really complicated works of literature, but probably being really insecure about your ability to do math.
I always tell people, "I study English for a reason," but they're always surprised when I whip out my phone to calculate tips.
14. Calling yourself only one part of your major depending on the day.
I'm an English major when I leave the library with 15 books. I'm an education major when I use my teacher voice on you.
15. Laughing at terrible literature jokes.
And your friends probably know you love these jokes, and send them to you.
16. When someone makes the comment that you're not going to make very much money.
I'd rather educate the next generation making my salary then be stuck in a cubicle making yours, sorry.
17. Knowing that one day, you'll inspire at least one student to love literature
And honestly, that's why you're here.
