The Teacher Project

Five weeks into our fall semester and we have moved our reflections to the web.  It is a risky move for some, but for others, no sweat. 

This week was a great week…at least as far as I am concerned.  All STEP students (secondary teacher’s education program) visited elementary schools this week.  For the life of me I could not figure out why elementary and felt that there was little point to the exercise.  As it turned out, I rather enjoyed the experience and found that I left there more comfortable with children that when I arrived (funny considering I am a parent of three).

Three times this week it has been reinforced that children of all ages are dying to have adult friends.  The grade fives and sixes at the elementary school were all very welcoming and wanted to have fun and play, the cub scouts in the group I volunteered to help were hanging all over me last night and a teacher closing on retirement stated that he still feels eighteen…just one little step above those that he teaches.  I’ve come to the conclusion that, while a teacher must keep their professional distance, the kids will gravitate to the teachers that have fun with them.  (boy am I glad I chose ‘shop’ teacher)

I have noticed that the classes that are kept under tighter reigns not only stay focused and turn out more work in a day, but their work is of higher quality.  While I could not begin to hypothesize how much of that is the students individual talents or other variables, it comes up time and time again how important it is to run a tight ship.

“Get a hold of the reigns from the start because they are impossible to grab when you are at full speed”.

Back to my great week…..

From the beginning of this year I have been questioning my career decision and I am sick to death of hearing the negatives of becoming a teacher.  While I appreciate the realistic input that many have given us, I am tired of hearing of red tape and limitations; I want to hear someone say “teaching is great”, “most rewarding career ever”, or “would change a thing”.  We have been bombarded with so much negativity that one naturally will question their decision.  I was questioning mine to the point of not paying my tuition because I was not sure if I wanted to carry this through.  Don’t get me wrong….I am not a quitter and I have a lot riding on this one…but the negativity has got to stop!

This was a great week to put my focus back where on track.  The teachers at the elementary were all excellent, although I don’t know if I will ever have that kind of energy;  I didn’t run into a single sourpuss in the whole school…It was awesome!

Friday the trades specialty spent the day with three shop teachers who love their jobs.  Sure they have their annoyances, their red tape stories and all of that junky stuff, but they have found the most rewarding career imaginable and they wouldn’t change it for the world. 

You know what…that is the kind of reality story we need to hear.  “Yes, first year is hell, and second year may be a close second, but once you are through those (and they will end quickly), you are in the best job there is.  It doesn’t even feel like work.  What could be better than sharing of what you love?”

Thanks to all of the encouragers out there,

Greg