No. I’m not just a teacher.
Until you have lived a day in the life of a teacher please do not judge me for what I do, or in my case what I want to do. Teaching isn’t something to just fall back on in case that medical degree doesn’t work out. I’m not using it because it’s easy, because let me tell you it is FAR from easy. You don’t go into teaching for summers off, or good pay. You don’t go into teaching for fame or for fortune. In fact, you go into teaching for the very opposite reason.
So no, I am not just a teacher. I spend all day 5 days a week with your child, not only teaching them things like math and science, but how to be a good friend too. I teach them how to properly walk in a line to library and what it means to put yourself in other people’s shoes. How to add and subtract, and that we don’t call our friends buttheads. I teach them about evaporation and that we are all different, and that’s okay!
So no, I’m not just a teacher. Not only do I teach them, I love them. Whether it’s because you were mad at them that morning, or they fell down on the playground, I’m there to wipe their tears away. In some instances, they don’t even have someone at home to do that for them. They come to school to be loved. To feel valued. To belong. I give them that and I encourage that in my classroom. We are all friends, we all care about each other, we all say nice words, and fill each other’s buckets.
So no, I’m not just a teacher. I make your child laugh. Whether it’s my silly dance moves, or the silly jokes I tell them. Or when I tell those funny stories from when I was a kid or whatever it might be. I’m there to make them laugh even when they are having the worst day ever. Even if it’s something ridiculous I did like trip over my shoelace, or slip on the ice.
So no, I’m not just a teacher. I take the time to make them feel valued, and not because I have to. I tell them how pretty they look or how cool their dinosaur shirt in. I tell them I like their haircut and I ask them about themselves. Because I care. I also feel valued by them. From the constant compliments to everyone jumping for the chance to fill my water bottle.
So no, I’m not just a teacher. They give me warm fuzzies. I can’t explain that one like the others but, it’s just something you know if you’re a teacher.
So no, I’m not just a teacher. And if you think I am, please reconsider. You would not have gotten that law degree without good teachers. Your child won’t become a doctor without good teachers. I’m not just a teacher, I’m a maker of lawyers and doctors, garbage men and police officers. No, I don’t save lives on a daily basis but I create and inspire them. No I don’t fix big problems, but I temporarily make it better with a simple hug. No I don’t fix big messes, in fact we make them. And no, my life is not put on the line everyday but it is my job to protect. To provide love. And safety.
No, I’m not just a teacher. If you think I am, maybe I’ll just let you because I am so blessed to have kids all over the place that love me so much. To have books FULL of drawings of myself and letters about how special I am. A job that I actually get to have fun and not take all that serious some days. I get to color and dance, sing and skip. If I want to wear a silly costume to work, I can! All because I’m just a teacher. And being just a teacher is fine by me!
