Education majors often get a reputation for being "easy" and a "breeze of a major". This is incredibly untrue and frankly annoying to hear as an education major. There is much more that goes into being a teacher in today's society. Below are 11 thoughts every education major has that prove this:
1. Should I sleep or finish my lesson plan for next Tuesday?
Spoiler alert: we usually choose to finish the lesson plan.
2. Do I have enough money for this TeachersPayTeachers template?
The answer is usually no. But does that stop us? Nope.
3. Can I overdose on coffee?
Our classes reflect how our jobs will be in the future, they are not simple 50-100 minute classes. We have blocked classes that go for hours and then spend hours in schools throughout the week before, between, and after our classes to build up our experience.
4. Coming up with new ideas for lesson plans is really, really hard.
Making lesson plans unique is probably one of the most difficult parts of becoming a teacher. You want to stand out among teachers, especially while student teaching, and therefore you need to step up your lesson plan game.
5. Will my students like me?
Honestly, this one bugs me the most, what if I get into a classroom and none of my students like me? And then I have to work for the entire school year to build up a positive relationship with them?
6. Will I burn out like everyone says I will?
Long story short, we are underpaid, underappreciated, and underfunded. It is hard not to burn out in a profession with those factors. All we can do is hope that shaping our society's future lives is enough to keep us going.
7. Internships for Ed majors are pretty much nonexistent.
That is why most of us end up being camp counselors, working at summer school, or at a summer child care program. We get a one-semester internship and then are thrown into it. You could say we're pretty badass.
8. Thank goodness we don't have to take exams and quizzes.
For the most part, education classes are about preparation and developing our leadership/teaching skills. It is pretty hard to test this with a written exam. But don't take this as an indicator that we are not evaluated throughout the semester. Because we definitely are.
9. On that note, being evaluated is one of the most stressful things ever.
We get evaluated on our body language, charisma, lesson plans, and pretty much anything else you can think of that would go into being an educator (and that is a good thing--it helps prepare us!). But, it does mean constantly being on edge waiting for your next eval score.
10. I can't believe no one understands that there's a difference between Secondary and Elementary Ed majors.
There is, people. And each has their own unique characteristics. There is a reason for the clarification between the two when declaring a major. We all love each other, but some people are cut out to work with little kids and others with high schoolers.
11. Will I be good enough?
Honestly, who doesn't think this when they are in college? But, teachers have a big job in their hands. They are sculpting the future of America (or wherever they end up teaching). There is certainly a lot at stake.
