If you're an educator reading this, you're in for a treat, I hope. If you're a keyboard crusader hoping this is going to bash teachers, you're not (in for a treat), but please continue reading. I am officially a former teacher, but I remain a teacher for life to "my kids" and anyone who crosses my path needing a little guidance that I can provide. I started 13 years of school, but chose to end my teaching career in November of my 13th year. Since then, I've been working in sales and marketing. Although I do not miss being in the classroom, "back to school" time always causes me to reflect on my former life, students, and co-workers.
My three years post-teaching have opened my eyes to several things. The first is that teachers are among the hardest working people you will ever know. I have never worked in healthcare, so I can't vouch for those workers, but "bodily fluids" do it for me. I know those are very special people, too. And law enforcement- heck no. I was contacted several times about working in that field. I said "thanks, but no thanks. I've had enough of dealing with people who don't follow rules."
In addition to having been a teacher, I am a high-strung, Type A person. I am very goal-oriented and driven. I quickly realized when I entered the business world that lots of other people are not. I've been trying to figure it out, and one of the conclusions I have drawn is that teachers can't afford to be lazy- not even "bad teachers" because they are always responsible for kids. Even during their planning times, they are all ears for hallway happenings and such. They are used to eating lunch quickly in a room with hundreds of kids. They are used to not having at-will bathroom breaks, time for phone calls, etc. In the blink of an eye, foreign objects can go flying across the room, a friendly janking session can become a fight, and on and on. Teachers are always on duty with their guards up.
They are also always under a microscope. Some are more than others, too, and I don't understand that. The community is watching where they go & with whom they go, what they wear, what they do on vacation, what they drink at the restaurant, and what they post on social media. I know that it is a little different since they are teaching and influencing students, but there is no "it's none of your business, it's not hurting you" line when it comes to teachers.
A smart teacher always has a plan and always has all bases covered. They must be prepared for any and everything. They must always have evidence with which to defend themselves. In today's world, nothing is the child's fault anymore. Everyone blames the teacher. If there's a fight in the hallway, the parents ask "where was the teacher?" You would not believe some of the things I've heard irrational parents say regarding that. What people don't understand is that teachers, for the most part, are doing what they are supposed to be doing. If kids are fighting, they don't care if a teacher is present or not. Teachers are not required to physically involve themselves in fights. I remember bracing myself to be punched by a large high school student one time toward the end. I was going to press charges for assault and make an example. That is how bad it had become.
Here are some other things parents don't realize. One teacher doesn't teach every student in a school, and teachers sign contracts stating they will enforce the rules. I remember a precious child who once had a uniform violation. If my administrator had walked in my class and seen this, I would have been "scolded" for letting it slip. I was doing what I was supposed to. I handled it according to the policy in the handbook, which had been signed by the parent and student. The parent called me the next day and told me how "stupid" I was and that teachers are the ones who should be wearing uniforms. The parent asked if I wrote up every student who was out of uniform at the school. Moron. Of course I didn't, I only handled my students in my class. The parent thought that was unfair of me because he had seen numerous other students in the car line who were in violation of the same rule. Those students hadn't even made it in the building for their teachers to address the issues. This was earlier in my career, so I was more tactful than I am now, so I was nice, but firm. It did shake me a little, though. Then, I had to go back to class and teach as if nothing happened. I'm sure that was a great lesson! The kids were freaked out because my nerves had caused me to break out in hives and turn red for an extended period of time. The student and I had a good rapport. The student actually apologized to me the next day for the way the parent talked to me.
Another example is that teachers can't do anything right. I once stepped to the side with a student who yelled that I was "the b word" down the hallway. I whispered as not to embarrass the student. That child's parent started rumors about me because I "got in the child's face." Had I not done that, I would have been accused of yelling at the student in front of everyone. Teachers can't win for losing. Oh, and the really fun part about that is that I couldn't defend myself. I had to stay quiet about the incident, as all teachers do. Speaking of drive, I now have some serious drive to defend teachers and be their voices because I know they cannot. Days like that cancel 30 other good days. Everyone is talking about it- parents, kids, the community, and the microscope gets closer.
That's enough of the bad, though. I am frequently asked if I miss it. No I do not. I treasure memories and relationships with kids and teacher friends from the good times, but I do not miss it. I am also asked if I will go back. My luck is not good enough for me to say that I will "never" do something, but if I ever teach again, it will be to prevent starvation. The kids and I who remained close stay in touch, and many of them ask me to bake them their favorite treats when they're home from college, I am invited to wedding and baby showers, I am asked to tutor, write letters of recommendation, etc. Every now and then, I'm tagged in sweet posts about teachers, or I'll get a sweet message that will absolutely make my day.
For the teachers who are burned out and wishing they were doing anything else, YOU CAN! Gosh, especially now, you can, with the shortage of qualified workers. Teachers are multi-skilled, multi-tasking, problem-solving experts. If this is you, go sell something! You've been giving sales pitches every period of your career to people who don't care. If you have an audience in sales, it's because they're interested in what you're selling. The only thing is that you are going to make enemies of those you outperform because they are lazy and you are not. That still beats being slandered by an angry parent on social media or getting a nasty email first thing in the morning. You will still have opportunities to make a difference. I blame irrational parents and school bureaucracy for teacher burnout, by the way.
If you're a miserable teacher who has to stay to keep insurance, for example, keep your head up. Trust me, I know how hard it is, but the way you push through is inspiring people, too. When I left, students and parents told me so.
To the teacher critics, before you send that ugly text or email, or call the parents of the students in your child's class because you are mad about what your child probably did, remind yourself that that teacher is a person with a family and duties outside of school. That human being is not going to be perfect, but I promise they are trying to be because they do not want to give you a reason to ruin their day. I got to the point that I would tell parents in conferences the following:
"I know that staying after school for conferences is part of my job, but I would rather be off right now. We are here because of something your child did. If your child had not done it, I would not have addressed it, and I would be at home."
That may sound unprofessional to some, but I literally had to break it down like that for some folks. Let the teacher do their job. If you have a question or problem, be nice until you have a legitimate reason not to be. In a good school, the issue will be resolved, and the child who broke the rules should be the only one upset. Many times, students will know they have done wrong and walk away having learned a valuable life lesson.
In writing that, I chuckle thinking about a child who grabbed me as if he were a cat and had to be physically removed from me by two adults. He would not let go. When he was removed from my person, his mother wanted to speak to me on the phone. She cursed at me for making him miss the bus. I kid you not. I literally could have filed assault charges, probably more.
I know this has sounded like my list of grievances, but I just want the general public to know the kind of crap teachers deal with daily. Give them a break. Be nice. Make your kids behave, and don't defend them when they are wrong.
Teachers are amazing people. They are too amazing for me to be anymore, lol. I got tired of it. Are there bad ones, yes, but not for the most part. The good ones are fading away because they are retiring ASAP or choosing another field like I did. Don't be the reason a good teacher quits.
Signing off, I hope everyone has a great school year, and, again, don't be the reason a good teacher quits!
PS- I know that you're supposed to say his/her instead of they, but I got tired of typing that. You know what I mean ;)
