Why do people have this funny idea?

Question

That teachers either got a low grade on their degree or chose to teach because they 'couldn't handle' other jobs?

Working as a teacher I have seen several people come from 'the real world' and then quit a little later because they couldn't hack it. Usually they come in very arrogant, assuming that it will be easy, that schools are full of people who failed their degrees, and that they'll be better than us. Then they quit/have a breakdown.

When I worked in the city, people who couldn't hack it didn't choose to teach. Many of them had shoddy generic degrees and cried over the tiniest thing, yet would repeatedly say teachers were second-rate/weak/bitter.

The majority of teachers have 2:1 degrees or higher, have worked in the 'real world' for some time, and aren't bitter, faded swots.

Where has this myth come from?

Answer 1

urban myth perhaps

Been teaching 11-18 in UK, secondary science. I came from the 'real world' and was an engineer for 18 years. I found a full cross section of teachers, some were excellent others not. They were not bad teachers, just wrong school / subject / year group / poor support .

However, one thing was consistent. The overall enthusiasm and committment to teaching. Even when things turned to crap, help was there and different strategies were explored to sort out problems.

Don't knock people who try teaching and fail. Younger 'straight from Uni' people also drop out. Perhaps the older 'different' new teachers are more visible when they fail.

I was given fantastic support when I was struggling, often from younger teachers. I accepted this willingly, and was able to return the favour on a few occasions.

Teachers at schools I taught in supported each other, long may this continue, wherever the teacher comes from.

Hugs to make you feel better, John...