Do people assume teachers choose that career just to "do good"?

Question

I'm a teacher. The other day in a meeting the presenter said something to the effect of, "We're not here for the money, we're all here because we care about these kids, you're all caring people." Do people think teaching is a profession you have to be called to, like the ministry or something? I'm having a hard time expressing what I mean but the gist is here. Are there any teachers out there who get what I mean?

Answer 1

YES! I entered into the profession after a career in technology (I worked for a large company and made a ridiculous amount of money). I decided to teach because I wanted to make a true impact. I may sound full of platitudes, but it really is true. I felt a strong desire to make a difference in the lives of others.

After a few years teaching I truly realized was a selfless career it is--I do agree, it is like a calling. You won't ever make a lot of money, and if you are teaching to your fullest potential, then your nights and weekends are seldom completely your own. I would sometimes work well into the night and I always, always had piles of work to do on weekends. I chaperoned dances, headed up organizations, coached, mentored. I did so much. It is only now (taking a year off -- first child) that I realized how much of my life teaching took up. I made the decision, so I blame no one!

Teaching is an amazing profession, but you have to be prepared to give a lot of yourself--people who don't teach can never fully get this. I sure didn't until I became a teacher!

I can't even count myself among all those people who have been doing this for years and years. I met some amazing people--the most dedicated people ever! Unfortunately, that dedication can really wear on your soul. I watched a number of bright, ambitious, caring individuals burn out and leave the profession within a few years. Very, very sad.

I understand we are not here for the money, but it is an awfully sad place when actors, pro athletes, high powered biz execs make so much more than teachers (I don't begrudge them their pay, I just wish teachers could make a little more). I also don't think people understand that we don't really get our summers off (people seem to always point to that as a huge bonus to teaching). Most teachers I know have to get a second job or take classes to keep up their certification or help them get to the next salary level. Most stay a week or so after kids leave and come back a week or so before school starts. So, really, that might leave a full solid month of NO SCHOOL.

I could go on . . . looks like I have. I'm just passionate about this profession.

Good luck to you! You've picked a challenging career with "rich" rewards.

Answer 2

Teaching isn't for everybody. You really do have to love kids and love what you're teaching. This on top of the fact that sometimes there are things we have to deal with that will make you question if this is the job for you.

When I first started teaching, I left after 2 years because I was burned out. It became about just having a job, and not being about the kids. I went into management and knew that teaching was where my heart was, so I came back to teaching. It was the best thing I could have done.

You really aren't there for the money because we don't get paid enough to be! I sometimes laugh at the fact that a manager at McDonald's gets paid more than me, but I truly love what I'm doing and I love the kids. Sounds hokey, I know, but it's true.

Answer 3

I feel as if I have been "called" to be a teacher. I have my first classroom and I'm 50 years old. I've had other more lucrative jobs in the past. Although it was a lot easier to pay my bills before, there's nothing else about my old jobs that I miss. I work longer hours now, but the rewards are different and better now. I work with teens from the city of Detroit. I can't imagine being anywhere else.

Answer 4

I get what you mean. I think some people feel as if they were "called" to the job, but I also think there are others who just view it as a job. I know some people that I had class with in college who said they initially chose a career in education because they thought it would be easy.

I don't think it's like a ministry situation where you are called to do this job by god. It's just some people feel drawn to certain things they were meant to do.

Answer 5

Yes I think its a calling. Hard work and dedication to deal with some of these emotional kids these days. If you don't have the right frame of mind, zeal and dedication, why would you choose teaching? Unless you're just trying to get to an administrative job. Even then though, I think people with PhD degrees waste the schools' money and they're greedy for cash instead of helping the kids.