ALT-8 What you need to know before you become a Teacher
Teaching is one of the most important professions: a molder of young minds. It is not a well-paid job, but it is a difficult one. So, before you sign up for college classes, you may want to ask yourself a few questions.
1. Do I love kids? (Like isn't enough)
2. Do I love spending time with kids?
3. Am I good at teaching others things I know? (Knowing a subject and being able to teach it are not the same thing.)
4. Am I willing to go to school myself for the rest of my working career? Teachers have to have a Master's degree in many states now. That's 6 years of schooling. Then teachers have to take continuing education classes the rest of their career in order to keep up with their certification. This is where part of your time will go.
5. Am I willing to put in a lot of extra hours for my job or do I want a 9 to 5 and go home job? Teachers spend HOURS outside of the classroom preparing lessons, grading lessons, worrying about how to reach kids and how to effectively run their classroom.... It may look like it's only 6 hours a day and 3 months free in the summer, but that is not the real truth. Teaching takes a lot of time - even in the summer as you prepare for the next year.
6. Am I willing to put up with kids who won't work or have learning disabilities? These kids take extra effort, extra time, and extra love, and they WILL be in your classroom.
7. Am I willing to wipe snotty noses, hug a dirty kid or clean up when a kid is sick in the classroom?
8. Am I willing to put up with parents who will misunderstand or want their 'johnny' to get special treatment or just don't think you're doing your job right? Yes, they will be there.
9. Am I willing to take 30 kids to the zoo or other places for field trips?
10. Am I willing to give away my heart to a child who may not return the favor?
11. Am I willing to give away my heart to all these children who will be someone else's students next year?
I could go on, but I hope this is enough for you to consider in making your decision. It's a tough job, but it is an awesome and rewarding job too. Take your time, do some job shadowing, talk to teachers you know, in other words: do your homework to see if you indeed have what it takes to be a teacher.
