why do people want to teach?

Question

especially secondary age pupils.

Answer 1

Goodness only knows, its a hard job to do. I considered it but changed my mind after some hard thinking. I think it would be easier to teach younger children, less hassle from them! lol

Answer 2

I am working as a Primary School Teacher and I love it! I teach in the Reception Year Group (Yr R, 4/5 year olds).

I really really love my job. I went into teaching because I like working with children and their families. I enjoy having new experiences every single day. If you wake up feeling tired, down etc when the children arrive and you have thirty of them waiting for you on the carpet – that’s inspiring (some might say scary!)

The main reason for me was the variety primary school teaching offers. When teaching primary aged pupils you teach 12/13 subjects: English, Maths, Science, D&T, ICT, PE, Art, Music, History, Geography, PSHE & Citizenship, RE and MFL - Modern Foreign Languages - not statuary yet!

I think that if I went into secondary I would be bored – I know that you are exploring different elements of the subject you are teaching – but I don’t want that.

I once heard a secondary teacher say … “Primary Teachers like working with the kids, Secondary Teachers like working with their subject” …

Answer 3

The several people who answered who OBVIOUSLY are not teachers, don't have a clue. We do not get paid for most of the days we are not teaching. For example, we do not get paid for the summer break. I get paid for 4 days during the 2 week Christmas break. I have no days that I can take off if my husband wanted to go on a vacation during a time I am teaching. Next, I work far more than 40 hours a week, which is the normal work week. I work 5 days a week like most people.

To the person who quoted the oft-used phrase: Those who can do, those who can't teach. Well, I have an add-on for that ; Those who who can't teach have all the answers for those who do.

Answer 4

Teaching is an art and science, but mainly, a calling. Teachers know that that is what they are meant to do. As a secondary school teacher, I like the fact that I can, generally, give instruction and lead and guide without having to oversee every step of the process. I like secondary because I think that there is much that can be taught to and learned from middle and high schoolers. I taught elementary for one year. I love the children, but it is just not my strong area. I got tired hearing my name repeated one hundred times a day. It is not as bad in secondary, at least for me.

Answer 5

Teaching is one of those highly rated and exciting professions. It becomes more exciting if the teacher is an expert in the number of subjects they teach.
However, a teacher's success is measured by the number of students who pass his/her subjects. Secondary pupils are a bit mature in age (11-16 years); meaning that at least their comprehension capability is better than those in primary schools.
People choose teaching in order to impart their knowledge to those who need it. Some have become teachers because they enjoy it disregarding the remuneration. It is due to teachers that we are all literate in one way or another. Hats off to all teachers!

Answer 6

It's obvious that some of you have no experience in education at all. Most dedicated teachers (and there are many) take work home every night, they go to school during those "free" summers, and they give back tons of time and money of their own to purchase supplies for their classrooms that schools can't afford. As far as payed summer vacation, we don't get payed, we are basically laid off for the summer. The only way I have money over the summer is because I have my pay extended over 26 pay periods so I do have some money in the summer. Teachers answer to Fed. govt., State govt., local govt., school boards, parents and administrators. We are told what to do by para pros, bus drivers, kitchen personnel and custodians (who I don't mind helping out). We are told what to teach, when to teach it, where to teach it and how to teach it. I work with kids from all backgrounds (I love a challenge) and with gifted as well as mentally ill children. Why do I teach? Because I love it when I watch a first grader understand a concept for the first time and see their excitement when they know they've accomplished something that they thought they couldn't do. I love their enthusiasm and their genuine thirst for knowledge. Why do people want to teach? That's why.

Answer 7

I was having a late night discussion last night with my brother and our wives. As is our wont, we were waxing a bit philosophical. Since we all have small children, we were talking about what we most wanted to teach or instill in our children. Rather than let the things we came up with just evaporate, so i emailed them to myself.

The more I think about it, I think these things also apply to how to be a successful blogger, podcaster, or really, to be successful at any endeavor. So, I’m posting them here. Maybe they’ll be worth some discussion.

There was all kind of background discussion and elaboration around these, and we weren’t setting out to make a list, but these are the things we came up with:

You have to want to change. You can’t make someone else want to change.
You have to take risks. Just do it, confidence or not.
Learn to overcome fear.
Find and do what you love. Have passion and authority.
Love to learn. Love to read. Never stop.
Find and doing what you love (passion and authority) is the one that made me think of how this all relates to blogging and podcasting. I’ve been doing just that with this blog, and my podcast, and it’s made me quite happy. I wish everyone had the opportunity to discover what they love to do, and are really good at, and then to do that every day. I’m very, very thankful for all of the things in my life that make it possible for me to geek out as much as I do, and share it with other people.

Answer 8

I think teaching is seen as an easy career option for many people! It beats me why people want to teach any age in the State system - it's so boring (the National Curriculum!)

Answer 9

People teach because they think they can make a difference in the life of a child.

Answer 10

Sometimes I'd wonder the same thing. I'd often see students in my class act disrespectful to the teachers and think to myself how could anyone put up with this. But then I meet teachers who are very dedicated to their job despite the odds against them. They are passionate about what they do and i applaud them for remaining in such a profession.