In light of the back to school season starting, I just wanted to remind everyone, especially those who are just starting college or are thinking of changing their majors, that “those who can’t, teach.” We all know this saying, which suggests that those who can’t do anything resort to teaching. Although this saying is usually meant to be harsh towards teachers, read it more literally and trust me as an education major, it is completely true.
1. Those who can’t… go through one day without teaching someone something… teach.
If you are like me and have found yourself educating your parents, friends, significant other, or basically anyone who will listen in one way or another. “Did you know that…” has basically become your catch phrase, admit it.
2. Those who can’t… avoid the “back to school” section at any store… teach.
So this one might be a little weird, but it is most certainly true. If you have found yourself drooling over post-it notes, filling your cart with index cards and loose-leaf paper, or convincing yourself that you need those extra large packs of pens and pencils, chances are, you were destined to be a teacher. This year when I moved in I had not one, but TWO of those large plastic totes full of school supplies, binders, books, etc. I just can’t get enough.
3. Those who can’t… wait to see the “light bulb go off” when explaining a difficult concept to kids… teach.
There is no better feeling than teaching a difficult concept to your students and after days of lessons, finally seeing that “light bulb go off,” that moment when they finally get it. That “ohhhh” of understanding is like a child seeing all of those presents under the Christmas tree, but, you know, for teachers.
4. Those who can’t... truly live without seeing the excitement, curiosity and wonder in kids’ eyes... teach.
There is nothing better than watching a student fall in love with a topic that you are teaching, whether it be the subject of the whole class or just one lesson. The curiosity and excitement that you can instill in your students just by teaching said concept a certain way is why I want to teach. To show kids that there is so many amazing things out there if you just open your mind to them.
5. Those who can’t… wait to learn something new, even after they have learned so much… teach.
There is nothing better than opening a brand new book, talking to someone with different experiences, or simply visiting another place and trying to gather as much knowledge out of it as you can. For me, learning is just the most wonderful experience, and I can’t wait to teach my students to love learning like I do.
6. Those who can’t… give up when the going gets tough… teach.
Sure, there will always be those challenges that aren’t meant for you, but when you find that challenge that is made just for you, you can’t give up. That is what teaching is all about, finding the difficult, tiring, yet oh so amazing challenge of getting through to kids, finding new ways to excite and intrigue them, and come out knowing that even if you only got through to one kid, it was all worth it. Teaching is so much more difficult than those not acquainted with the field might expect, but if you are willing to take on the challenge, chances are you were meant to be an educator.
7. Those who can’t… stand to see kids being left behind academically, socially, etc.… teach.
As an education student, I had the privilege of shadowing a teacher at an underprivileged high school. It was amazing to see how much I personally could do for these kids. Education holds so much value in itself, so being able to give this to the students was incredible, but also being able to just be there for a student who maybe didn’t have as much as others their age in this country was just wonderful. Even if you don’t plan on teaching at an underprivileged school, just being there for students regardless of their socioeconomic class is honestly what makes the difference.
8. Those who can’t… wait to show other’s what their favorite subject(s) are all about... teach.
“So, have I told you yet how amazing it is to be able to speak a second language?” is basically my go to conversation starter. As a college student, one of my favorite things to do is to talk to the high school students at my work and convince them how great learning a second language can be. Sure, sometimes you have to be sly about it by saying things like “oh, I just haven’t been around much because I’ve been traveling the world. Perks of being a Spanish major.” They love it. Especially when I show them pictures of me doing fun things, like the one above with the friends I made on my latest study abroad trip to Puerto Rico. I can’t wait to be able to do this with the students in my future classroom. It is that passion that someone has about a specific subject, or education as a whole that creates the best kinds of teachers.
9. Those who can’t… understand why we can’t learn from kids… teach
One of the coolest parts of teaching is that you get to learn something new every day… from those who are supposed to be learning from you! The things you can learn from kids is literally endless. Want to know how a particular technology works for your next lesson? Ask one of your students. Want to know what the newest fashion trends are? Look at your students. From the innocence of elementary students, to the harsh truth of teens, there is so much to learn. If you can admit that you can learn from anyone at any age, chances are, you’d make a great teacher
10. Those who can’t… believe that there could be something better to do with their time than help others, especially those who are building our future… teach.
It takes a special kind of person to take on the challenge of teaching, but you most certainly know that you’ve found the right career path for you when you realize that there is no better way to spend your time than teaching kids. There is so much positivism that you can spread, knowledge you can pass on, and inspiration to share and no better way to do it than by teaching.
If you have ever felt or experienced any of these things, chances are you were born to teach! So yeah, when you hear someone say “those who can’t, teach”, there is 100% truth in that. Teaching takes a lot of patience, skill, knowledge, and will but it is all worth it!
