I'm just curious. I know that most teachers do not get high payments and they have to deal with obnoxious and rude students, so why did you dedicate yourself to this job? What do you like most about it? Was there ever a time when you regretted choosing this job?
2007-03-09 09:42:47 · 5 answers · asked by Chi 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
Chi, I never regretted it for one minute. I teach 14 & 15 year olds in a " ghetto" area.. They have so much energy and ,regardless of what people may think, so much ambition !! I am amused when on a field trip. Some may have tatoos, mohawks, baggy pants, heavy black eye makeup and that's all people see. What they don't know is that these kids want to be astronauts, vetenarians, firefighters. Teens are so often misunderstood. Right now, they are just finding their way. As a teacher, I am there to be a positive in their lives.. not a negative. No, it definitely is not about the money. I have a sign in my classroom that says " Give respect... and you'll get respect''... we talk about what that means frequently. That's what we live by in my room.
2007-03-09 10:01:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You'll probably get the standard answers ... it's an honorable and respected profession (with emphasis on "profession"), love the kids, love the subjects taught (English Lit., Math, Science, etc.), opportunity to mold young minds, personal rewards, and on, and on.
What most won't mention (as if they are ashamed to admit) is that the 8-10 weeks off in the summer, plus another 15-20+ days off for holidays and school breaks (x-mas, spring, easter), about 10 personal (no questions asked) leave days each school term, is a very appealing argument for becoming a teacher (however, it must be mentioned that all of the foregoing [except personal leave days] is without pay during these periods of time off). Add to the list ... accumulative sick leave days for the duration of the teacher's time of service, health insurance, state retirement benefits (plus social security retirement) indoor position with a clean environment (usually) to work in, a "comparatively" easy 3-4 years of college studies in order to obtain state teacher certification, a good job market for new teachers (they are the least expensive to hire), opportunity to apply for positions in "better" geographical locations of choice, and once again, the "right" to refer to themselves as "professionals,"... just a few more of the benefits that draw teachers into the service to kids.
Most will say the pay is not great but pay (or contracted salary) is based on number of days actually contracted to work, which in most cases, amounts to 187 days each year!
Just about a 1/2 year to work, the other 1/2 to play, tour the world, or find a supplemental job to improve ones style of living. Looks even better when teachers marry teachers.
Divide the salary by the number of days required to work and you'll find that the pay (especially for nonexperienced, beginning teachers) is really not too bad.
Hope this gives you a better "down to earth" answer to your inquiry.
2007-03-09 14:34:17 · answer #2 · answered by caesar 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Regret? Yes, sometimes, but it's SO rewarding when you have good relationships and hopefully that is most of the time. I love teaching and I love my kids. I feel like they are part of my family almost.
2007-03-09 09:47:25 · answer #3 · answered by Older&Wiser 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I enjoy stress.
2007-03-09 09:55:34 · answer #4 · answered by David H 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
im not a teacher but my health teacher told us she became a teacher cuz of her mom
2007-03-09 09:47:38 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋