What you need to know before you become a Teacher
If you want to be a teacher, you have chosen what is quite possibly the most challenging yet rewarding of careers. However, there are a number of important realistic points to consider. First and foremost, a passion for anything is probably the best predictor of success, and if you possess this passion regarding teaching, you will ultimately succeed; however, there are a few career realities that not all programs of education emphasize with their potential future educators.
If you are thinking that teaching is ideal because you will have three months off every summer, you may want to consider that most teachers either work through the summers for extra, needed income, or continue their educations through graduate courses and classes required to keep their certifications, or both. Your education does not end once you become certified. Most teachers are required, at minimum, to take six graduate credits every five years. Many states require content-specific written tests. In addition, many schools expect their teachers to be working on advanced degrees.
If you are thinking that teaching is ideal because you will be done with your work day at around 3 or 3:30pm, that is false, also. New teachers especially may find themselves burning the midnight oil for a good part of their first year or first few years. Planning classes, writing curriculum, grading tests and essays, and sponsoring clubs and activities can be time-consuming evening and weekend work. My non-teaching friends cannot understand why I am unable to get my research papers graded while I am at school. While I am at school, I am teaching. Students do not disappear during the day so that teachers can tackle their paperwork.
Extra duties during the school day may also consume what appears on the surface to be down time: bus duty, hall duty, cafeteria duty, or monitoring detention halls is required of faculty members on a regular basis.
Teaching can also be an isolating career. Teachers may find themselves spending their entire day with no adults. That is why it is important to meet after school, or in the evenings with fellow teachers, as well as adult friends to balance this imbalance.
At the same time, teaching can be a very fast-paced environment allowing little to no time alone. Most high school teachers teach seven classes a day, with three to six minutes in between each class for students to move from one class to another. Teachers find themselves frequently switching gears throughout the day, making quick decisions, and dealing with a host of student problems beyond the content being taught. Organization is essential for handling this pace.
Teachers usually do have one class period free each day for planning, running copies, putting notes on the boards, meeting with para-professionals, typing up letters of recommendation, calling or meeting with parents, etc. Frequently that time is still not "time to oneself." I usually even have someone right next to me when I use a restroom stall.
Teaching is probably one of the most highly rewarding careers and it is a personal motivator to know that every day you, the teacher, are making a positive difference in the lives of our young people. However, frequently, the students move on and your influence is not always voiced. Most students will not think to compliment you on the thoroughness of your test or lesson plan, or even tell you of the positive impact you have had on their lives, even if you have. Occasionally, one will, and that will be the spark that keeps you from burning out.
