I’ve been reflecting on my past years of teaching.
There are so many things that no one tells you will happen and no credential program can prepare you for.
Here are some things teachers don’t tell you {or at least I’ve never spoken of}…
Did you know our classrooms were 100 degrees or more for at least a month each year? As hard as we tried to teach, we’d quietly read all afternoon and spray the students down with a spray bottle.
Did you know we don’t microwave nor preserve our food in fridges? Don’t have those.
Did you know we spend our recess and lunch with our students on the playground? Someone has to supervise.
Did you know our playground is an old parking lot? Without equipment.
Did you know we get yelled at by irate parents, who’s anger has nothing to do with us?
Did you know we’ve cried countless times about our jobs, our students’ situations, our test scores, and our belittling parents?
Did you know we got “let go” for budget cuts “effective immediately” and still showed up for work on Monday because…who was going to take care of our kids?
Did you know we bought those tissues that student used 300 of in one day, mostly for fun? We didn’t get mad at them for wasting them and we didn’t even ask parents for more.
Did you know we’ve spend 40 hours or more in traffic to get to and from school each month?
Did you know we attend countless funerals for past and current students’ parents? Even some for students. We never miss a funeral. We will never forget the looks on our students’ faces when our teary eyes meet theirs.
Did you know we’ve fed that student our own lunch when someone forget to pack them one? They always like our apples and pb&j sandwiches.
Did you know we give our students consequences even if they don’t get them at home? Littles need boundaries and structure.
Did you know our school changed standards and we had to become an expert at them in a week? We had 30 little kids looking at us, so we better know what we’re doing. Think of it as-your work is going to a new program that you’ve never seen before, but you are expected to know it because you will now be the trainer. Sounds fun huh?
Did you know we hug that student even when they call us names, throw things at us, or hit us? Yes those have all happened more than I’d care to talk about.
Did you know we are constantly feeling like we could do and be better? We never feel adequate or secure with our job.
Did you know even after all this, we still come back every day?
Did you know without a playground, without a lunch, and without air conditioning, our students come to school with huge smiles on their faces? Happy to see their teacher despite the circumstances. We love the innocence of first graders and how they know they can get a fresh start in class every day {or every minute if they need it ;)}.
Did you know we appreciate those few parents who would donate anything we’d ask for? Or the ones that would sit in our rooms cutting out little items for us to use in a lesson? And those parents who would tell their children or their friends’ children to always respect the teacher?
I speak only from my own experience, but I am grateful for the past 5 years of that craziness above. I have learned a lot. I have become a better teacher, a better communicator, and a better colleague. Not all situations are similar to these things. Everyone’s teaching situations are different. I know from experience from moving schools. But without these experiences, I wouldn’t be the teacher I am today. I wouldn’t know the things I know today. I wouldn’t understand the things I understand today. I wouldn’t appreciate the things I appreciate today. I am more compassionate and willing to give of myself.
I’m not telling you this for any other reason than to thank and appreciate a teacher :)Thank you teachers for sacrificing your time, your money, your family, and your sanity for others.
Teachers, what else do you think people should know?
Lauren Shirk says
Oh my gosh yes. Ditto to everything you said Jen! Love this post!
Jessica Preece says
Teaching is SACRIFICE !Thanks for sharing your honest teacher reflections Jen ! It makes me so very proud to be a teacher and to be blessed to know a great teacher like you! You have a heart of gold! 🙂
Third in Hollywood says
Yes… So true… every word of it! Thank you for posting 🙂
Katie Moira says
I love this! Thank you for writing it. It was very true and it made me realize how lucky I am to have all that I have. Often times I get caught up in my bubble. This post helps give me perspective.
Katie
Teaching Voracious Learners
Alexis says
This… tears in the eyes over this!! Thank you for saying what so many of us are afraid of saying to the public! We fear they will judge us, but the rest of the world needs to know! Thank you for sharing your heart!
You should host a link up about what people should know about teachers!
Alexis Hudgens
Mrs. Hudgens Hears a Who
Jen says
That's a good idea Alexis! Maybe I'll get around to it soon 😉