WHY I LOVE TEACHING!
I make a massive difference in the lives of young people – even when I don’t realize it.
I am constantly learning new skills. I came in this job to teach French and Physed. Now I run clubs, coach sports, break up fights, provide counselling, teach life skills, support my colleagues....No day is ever the same. Ever.
I build positive relationships with students, colleagues, parents and the wider community.
I am a role model. People look to me for advice and guidance and that feels pretty good.
My students teach me as much as I teach them.
There is constant laughter. Learning can – and is – fun and that goes for the teacher too.
That moment where a student finally gets it.
The thank yous mean a lot. The end of year gifts are great (wine, please) – but the cards and verbal gratitude from the young people who you have impacted are just perfect.
The parents are pretty sound too. For every one that gives me a hard time and complains about the quantity of education, there are ten that worship the ground you walk on for going the extra mile for their child.
I get to meet colleagues with a passion for teaching equal to mine who will become friends for life.
The challenge – and success – of getting the kid that hates me to like me. WIN.
The sheer chaos of a classroom. Noise, mess, laughter, excitement and pandemonium. What isn’t there to love?
Seeing excitement in students thrilled by a topic makes my day worthwhile. If I can blow a mind now and again, I will constantly be a source of interest. In fact, I am the life and soul of the party in the classroom.
Seeing a class of faces hanging onto your every word makes my chest swell with pride.
Teaching is my life – it is not merely a job with nice ‘holidays’ – and I wouldn’t change it for the world.