Teachers Do More Than Teach, They Change Lives | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Teachers Do More Than Teach, They Change Lives

Teachers deserve an appreciation MONTH.

185
child looking at globe
Ginny Tilley

Ah, teachers. If anyone can relate to the all-too-familiar phrase "overworked and underpaid," it's teachers. With teachers leaving jobs and even the education field permanently, people wonder why they just don't want to teach anymore.

Teachers, aside from teaching, are also doctors, lawyers, counselors, moms even if they don't have children (let's be honest, we've ALL called a teacher mom at least once!), and more. No, I'm not talking about side jobs (although many teachers have to take jobs on the side). I'm talking about a regular day for teachers.

Now, there ARE teachers who shouldn't be teaching (and I also wonder why they'd put themselves through a PRAXIS exam - that test is expensive and difficult). I'm not talking about those teachers. I want you to imagine the best teacher(s) you've had. I'm talking about THOSE teachers. Those teachers work their tail off to be a great teacher and they are sorely underappreciated. Teachers don't need an appreciation week, they need an appreciation MONTH.

I have experienced both sides of the spectrum. I have had a teacher that made me question why they teach if they don't like kids, but I've also had more than one teacher who helped me realize that being a teacher is one of the most difficult jobs.

Teachers, you are teaching the future generation and with parents who act like their child can do no wrong and kids who misbehave for fun, I applaud you. Having to teach kids, listen to their problems, keep kids from fighting each other, it's a wonder why y'all don't get paid at LEAST six-digit salaries.

In all of this, teachers certainly don't teach for the money. As an Early Childhood Education major, it is DEFINITELY not about the money. I love kids - I even want to be a foster/adoptive mom. Some teachers love kids, but don't want their own. I completely understand! I didn't like high school kids as a high school kid myself. For me, I want to teach because I love kids and want to help them realize their full potential.

In the words of a former teacher, "[w]orking in the field of education proves daily to be a challenge. If your career goal is to become an educator, there are a few things you must consider. Are you willing to work twenty-four/seven? Are you willing to give up all other personas to embrace the one called teacher? I can assure you, after twenty-one years in this profession, it is a never-ending and all-consuming job. But it's worth it. Every minute of the job is worth your effort, even the difficult moments. Why? Because it fulfills a person to be able to influence others positively – and that's what teaching is: the opportunity to influence students and be influenced by them. As frustrated as I get sometimes with the world of education, I still wouldn't trade one single second of my career for anything else."

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

181694
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

8537
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

453409
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

23865
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments