This site is a class blog space for new Career and Technical Specializations and Heathcare Science teachers enrolled in the New Teacher Institute (NTI) at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
THE OPEN MIC, Repost
This is the best job I have ever had. I hear many complaints from other teachers about the difficulty of students. But, difficulty is all relative. I think that we are fortunate to have been in the "other working world" and then teach as opposed to going straight into education. I feel like I am making some difference in someone's life. In my previous job really did not feel rewarding as this. The reward is instantaneous when you see that the student is grasping what you are teaching. Let's not even discuss the amount of time off that we get as teachers. In previous jobs that I have had, taking more than one week off was really stretching it. I really could not even enjoy the vacation. But teaching is has given me more opportunities to relax than any other jobs than I have had. If done correctly, I rarely or ever take my job home. Unlike my previous jobs, taking your work home was mandatory!
I wholeheartedly agree with you regarding having the opportunity to work with the students and feel we are making a difference in someone's life. I was out yesterday and happen to run into one of my students who had graduated last year. The students face lit up when they saw me couldn't wait to share how they were doing. It is hard to put into words what a moment like that means. It was very special. You are also right on regarding the time we have off. It is wonderful to be able to spend time with your family and friends during the various holidays.
ReplyDeleteHi, Willie - bullseye! You are fortunate, and appreciative, of having been in industry, so you are right-on when you compare teaching to your previous career. The rewards in teaching are wonderful if you see them for what they are. Great posting and well said! That goes also for Paulette's comments and how great was that for her to run into a successful former student!
ReplyDeleteYou'all have earned your time off and I know you and your families will enjoy with a special sense of appreciation.
We all like to complain sometimes about some things that are beyond our control. We all have our problems, but I agree with you about the rewards. After my father and service manager retired after they worked for 40 and 35 years in our business, it left only me. Vacation? Only a rare long weekend during the past 8 years. The longest time away from my business was when my wife had major surgery at St Joseph's in Atlanta 7 years ago. I stayed and slept on a cot for 5 days with her. What a vacation! The stress level is gonna be lower now, I have real vocation time now because she is in education now. Retail may be glamorous, but time off was non-existant. Sick days? Nope. I was lucky. I had not missed a day from work for me being sick for twenty years until I started teaching last fall. I got the flu even after the flu shot. But I was paid, and a sub replaced me. What a difference!
ReplyDelete