Holy cow... I love teaching and I love children, but sometimes (all the time) they drain me. No, I am not a teacher yet, but I have been in an elementary classroom a butt load of times (other than actually being in elementary school). I work with children over my summers at an all summer, summer camp. I am also a substitute teacher and currently in the process of getting my teaching credentials. I have taught plenty of lessons to children in first grade through sixth grade, but I am NOT an expert on teaching. A lot of people have no idea what it takes to become a teacher and they think it is that easy major where you just take elementary level classes to prepare you, but these people could not be more WRONG. Going to school to become a teacher is incredibly time consuming and the work seems to be never ending sometimes. Yes, we take classes that are fun, but we also take classes that challenge us and show us the real world of teaching young children. Do not even get me started on creating lesson plans and those insane TPA's (so I have heard, I will be completing them this year).
There are moments where I am so proud to be doing what I am doing and then there are moments where I want to break down and call on a friend to finish. Children can be RUTHLESS, but they can also be complete SWEETHEARTS. If you're jumping into this occupation because you are looking for an easy way out, be prepared for a rude awakening. As I mentioned before, this job is not easy, but is so worth it.
Yes, there are hard times, but I am here to talk mostly about why I am in love with being a teacher. My first couple times subbing gave me goosebumps. I would walk into the classroom and get to sit behind the teachers desk and let me tell you... that will hit you like a ton of bricks. Every emotion came flooding in and then it's time to get the kids. You walk up to them and see how much they look up to you and are eager to get to know you and for you to get to know them. I am not over exaggerating when I say that it will instantly hit you that you were once them and looking up to your teacher to see you and hear you and fight for you and now you are the one that has to truly see these kids and hear them out and fight for them every single day. These children need you more than you could ever imagine and if you're honest with yourself, you need them too. Getting that first lesson out of the way will immediately calm you for the rest of the day so do not stress too much. I was full on hyperventilating before subbing and not even ten minutes into the day my stress was gone because of the children and how comfortable they immediately get towards you.
I have never experienced the feeling of having my own classroom and students and I cannot wait till that day, but I know that great substitutes treat any class of students like their own and that is how it should be. Respect the class and they will respect you. Elementary school is the formative years of every student so it is important that teachers are really paying attention and giving these students their all. I believe being a teacher will change your life more than any other job will. Love your students well and they will love you ten times more. There are too many children these days that come from broken homes and need some consistence and steadiness in their lives and that is where their teachers come in. Teachers are there to repair the hearts of these hurting children and show them that they matter. Remember, I am not an expert at teaching, I am just speaking from my own experience. Next time you see a teacher, tell them how incredible they are and how much they and their job matters.
Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to hear my thoughts. Please ask questions or leave comments. I want to hear from YOU.
Much love,
Just Annalie
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