Why do we become teachers?

I came across a photo of a young girl not too long ago. She looked to be about four to five years of age. This girl, with auburn hair in a ponytail, held a cute smile and a clipboard in hand. This girl was a smiling because at the age of four or five, she knew her destiny – to be a teacher. This girl was me.

Even at the young age of four, I wanted to become a teacher. I would play “teacher” for hours in my room with stuffed animals and dolls lined up in rows on the floor. These were my students, patiently waiting with baited breath for my next lesson. Some of my fondest memories are of the days I spent in school. To this day, I can still remember the name of my Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Stevens, and even what she looked like. Over the years, I still played “school” in the solitude of my room, never wanting my friends to know for fear of being laughed right out of town. There are several teachers that remain in my minds eye and in my heart the best teachers in the world. Mr. Karoly and Mrs. Parker are my two favorites. I would love to find them and treat them to lunch and share how much they impacted my life.

So, why do we become teachers? Is it for the low pay, unmotivated students, overbearing parents, legal and political battles? No, I would venture to say that some become teachers because they want to change the world. Others do so because it offers promise of job security. Some simply have a passion about something and they just want to share that knowledge with others. I became a teacher for all those reasons. I wanted a fairly stable job with consistent, dependable income (even though it could be higher), family-friendly hours, and the opportunity to share just a little of the wisdom I’ve learned over the years with my students. Curriculum would be the catalyst for sharing this wealth of knowledge. My fiery passion for knowledge would keep me motivated and if I was lucky, I just might make a small yet positive impact on those that would hopefully change the world.

What I did not expect to become part of my reasons for teacher, were smiling faces hiding fragile hearts. Sharp minds struggling to conform to socially accepted norms, while cultivating their own independence. Young teens, in their zeal to become adults overnight, are teaching me the joys of childhood again. In the eighteen months since I have become a classroom teacher, I have encountered and endured many smiles, tears, triumphs, struggles, and a daily reminder of why I did indeed choose to become a teacher. I will never be rich, famous, or change the world. I will however, be but a brief and hopefully bright moment in the lives of people I am counting on to become rich, famous, or more importantly... change the world.

Sometimes you get a break!

Believe it or not, sometimes you get a break! The note below (in red) was a VERY unexpected email my Principal sent to my former boss at our Administration building. I worked for the district in administration before I got my teaching job. I was cc'd on the email and it really made my day! Still trying to find and keep my footing during my second year of teaching... parents are the worst downers. Then you hear about those parents to send kudos about you to your boss. I know I made the right career choice.... crap and all. It's been a wild ride so far. I look forward to getting more proficient at delivering instruction and managing all the paperwork, etc. that goes with teaching.

"With all of the discussion going on today, I was remiss in sharing a few more things with you about XXXXXXX. Not only does she do an outstanding job of communicating with parents via her website, I've had a lot of compliments from parents. One particularly difficult parent told me last year that XXXXXXX was the best math teacher her daughter has had since her schooling began. The parent has since followed up with me to let me know that her daughter has had success so far in high school as a result of XXXXXXX's efforts. Another parent that was quite prone to criticism regarding math told me how both of her daughters are "breezing through" high school math purely because of XXXXXXX's efforts. I concur that she is outstanding. Thank you for encouraging her to go into teaching!! She has and will continue to make a significant difference in the lives of many. I know that you took a significant loss, but bless you for being willing to share her talents!! I am thankful to have her as part of our team!"

Great quotes found on another blog... just what I needed today!

• If a doctor, lawyer, or dentist had 40 people in his office at one time, all of whom had different needs, and some of whom didn't want to be there and were causing trouble, and the doctor, lawyer, or dentist, without assistance, had to treat them all with professional excellence for nine months, then he might have some conception of the classroom teacher's job. ~Donald D. Quinn
• Modern cynics and skeptics... see no harm in paying those to whom they entrust the minds of their children a smaller wage than is paid to those to whom they entrust the care of their plumbing. ~John F. Kennedy
• We expect teachers to handle teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, and the failings of the family. Then we expect them to educate our children. ~John Sculley
• Teaching is the only major occupation of man for which we have not yet developed tools that make an average person capable of competence and performance. In teaching we rely on the "naturals," the ones who somehow know how to teach. ~Peter Drucker
• Teachers are expected to reach unattainable goals with inadequate tools. The miracle is that at times they accomplish this impossible task. ~Haim G. Ginott
• The only reason I always try to meet and know the parents better is because it helps me to forgive their children. ~Louis Johannot
• If you promise not to believe everything your child says happens at school, I'll promise not to believe everything he says happens at home. ~Anonymous Teacher

Middle School Math

I have been a middle school math teacher for a year-and-a-half at a wonderful school in Texas. Having always wanted to write a book, I figured this was a pretty good place to start. Maybe one day, my adventures in middle school will make for a great published work!