Teachers, how long have you been teaching? are you happy?

Question

I'm planning get my credential to become a jr.high teacher, but I'm still not sure whether I should or not. The requirements keep adding and changing, and it seems to me that many new teachers give up after 2 or 3 years teaching. The pay is not that good. The benefits I don't know. The work hours 8-3 is not bad, but you still have to spend 2-3 minimum grading papers and planning lesson and talking to parents and going to meetings. It can also be frustrating at times when you have a difficult group or difficult student, but it can be very rewarding when you feel the love of your students and when you feel they are learning. So, what's your opinion about teaching?

Answer 1

I am 36 and this is my eighth year teaching. The first 1-3 years are tricky because you have to figure out how to NOT spend 2-3 hours after the fact grading papers. It took me about 2 years to figure out what works for me and what doesn't. I spend a lot of time around positive people who love their jobs and who are willing to share and receive new ideas. I keep a binder of ideas, good and terrible, to help me keep from making mistakes over and over. As far as the pay goes...yeah, I'm underpaid. But you know what? I work 180 days a year from 7:30-3:30. I am out of school when my child is out of school. I do something everyone of those 180 days a year that really matters. Talk to people who love their jobs and see if they say things that sound appealing to you. Truth is...nobody ever decided to be a teacher because the pay is awesome or because it is easy as pie. Folks who love teaching either feel called to do it, love kids, enjoy the opportunity to do something different in the summer (I got my real estate license and sell at my will), etc. If you have a deep feeling that it isn't the right thing for you, move on. There are children who deserve a teacher who wants to be there and who feel good about their work.

Answer 2

I am in my third year of teaching middle school students and I love it. I wouldn't do anything else. I teach at a small Lutheran school, K-8, so I teach most subjects and have 2-3 planning periods a week. It's exhausting, but very rewarding.

Of course, there are bad moments, days, or even weeks. One bad comment from a student can throw off a whole class period. The fact that one student is doing poorly can make me feel like an ineffective teacher.

But I will never forget the mom who recently told me that I'm the best teacher her son has ever had, and that I've inspired him to go to college. Or the students who actually WANT to sit with me at lunch. I get to spend my days with some amazing kids, and that spark of understanding in their eyes makes up for every bad moment!

Teaching is not an easy job, but it's an important one. It's a way to make a difference in the world.

Answer 3

I've been teaching 23 years, and I can't imagine doing anything else. The work day is definitely NOT 8 - 3 (it's more like 7 - 4 at school, with another couple hours working at home, plus work on weekends) The money is not good, but it's enough to get by. On the plus side, there is A LOT of job satisfaction. When I see my former students go on to successful lives (and I'm now teaching some of their children), it always makes me feel good. I also have more control over what I do than most workers do, and I really get a sense of accomplishment when I can help people.

Answer 4

I have been teaching for 20 years. I teach chemistry and physics, but I have also taught biology and 7th grade science.

I cannot imagine doing anything else for a living. I love the students and love interacting with them. I am one of those teachers who will burst into a song and dance when you least expect it, so the students need to stay alert in my class. Most of my students love my classes because we do wild and crazy things like exploding things.

My day starts at 7:00 when I arrive to get ready for the day. At 8:05 school starts. I have 4 different preps for a total of 6 classes each day. I stay until 5:00 each evening to get things cleaned up and put away. I usually spend two hours on the computer each night getting up-to-date info for the lessons or recording grades. I spend several weeks over the summer updating my unit plans or attending classes and conferences.

A teacher invests a lot of time and money in continuing education for renewal of your certificate.

You don't go into teaching for the money! You go into teaching for the love of the students and the learning process.

Answer 5

I'll give it to you crystal clear. If you don't mind being responsible for other people's children, and raising other people's children, you're in the right place.

Also remember that you are in one of the few jobs where those that you work with Do Not support what you do. The kids in your class that support you are rare, compared to the majority that are just doing what they need to keep their folks happy, and the several that will actively try and stop you from doing what you are trying to do. Some of those might be administrators, too.

You need to have a backup plan. I was not right for teaching, and my backup plan saved me from being a teacher who "couldn't think of anything else to do with themselves".

Expect your first few years to be 12+ hours a day. After a few years, the planning gets easier - you've done it a few times before. You will not get summers off, unless you're done with continuing ed. I was close to leaving teaching, but adding on an additional two courses sealed my decision.

Answer 6

I have been teaching since 1996, and I love it and absolutely hate it, at the same time. This is not a 9-5 job, even when you go home, the kids stay with you. It's wonderful and very rewarding, but it leaves you with no energy to spare for other people in your life. At least, that is my situation. I love my students, even the difficult ones, because they deserve that love, but unless you learn how to push it all back and say 'this is not my child' or 'I am not responsible for his every need', it is a job that can consume you. It's very easy to burn out when you give it your heart as well as your mind.

Answer 7

I have been teaching since the beginning of September. Granted I am at the bottom of the barrel of schools, ( a gand fighrt broke out between 6 girls last week just before the principal was going to evaluate me), but I can tell you the impulse control is at its lowest in 8th grade. They do not take school too seriously and they will do all they can to make fun of you.
I felt I was spinning my wheels at the other job and it was a dead end. In that way I am glad to become a teacher. However, the first year is hell and it will take half a decade before you think you know what you are doing.

Answer 8

I've been teaching Jr.High for 5 years. For the most part, I am happy with teaching. Stay away from the pessimists...they would be unhappy know matter what they were doing.............

Answer 9

Audi: it takes time and effort with students in class rooms
learning their favorite subjects Math, Reading, Science, History
English, ect were teachers has great knowlage too yes because
they also taken college courses as such like child Sychology
& behavorial patterns that takes 4yrs to be certifide school teacher ! good luck& may you be sucessful person

Answer 10

check your local state's job market for teachers.
There are NOT alot of jobs in it. Totally depends on where you live and if you can relocate.