Is Education the Right Fit? Top 10 Things You Need to Know Before Becoming A Teacher
Countless educators are exiting America’s Classrooms in droves. The one thing education needs less of are teachers who are going to abandon scholars mid-year, so I say this with all the love in the world, but get you some teaching experience before pursuing this field, because what it looks like, is nothing like what it actually is. It is long hours, I mean the longest, at home too. It’s endless grading, it’s students who are uneager to learn and need to be motivated to engage, it's angry parents sometimes frustrated by systemic injustices they can’t solve alone, and it’s even co-workers who have stayed past their time and make the work harder. So how do you get a sneak peak of the real deal before you take expensive classes, declare your major, or attempt to save the disadvantaged youth of our country?
Even if your someone who is thinking about transitioning into education, I strongly suggest you get your feet wet, before diving in. How, you ask? You can substitute teach in your local school system. The process is pretty simple, and can be found by googling the school system in the county or city you live in. From there you can review the application requirements, which usually consists of a resume, some basic info, and proof of some college. Each school system is different, but in most cases you don’t even have to have a completed degree, just a minimum number of college hours/credits. Just so you know, you will have to submit a background check if hired. This real life experience is one of the best things I did before assuming a full time role in the classroom, because it gave me insight into the day to day profession.
So here are the top 10 things you need to know before becoming a Teacher:
You Need Patience. The work is long and hard, and the students will push limits, because they need you to reinforce them. If you’re not up for repeating yourself often this may not be the work for you. The social-emotional lessons are the hardest to teach, but molding good people is worth it.
You Must Love Learning & Young People. Your love of learning or lack thereof will affect kids daily. So you have to bring a certain level of enthusiasm daily, if you can’t get excited about your content, why will they? You also have to truly enjoy being around young people and what they do, because they will be the people you spend the most time with.
You are a Motivational Speaker. As a teacher you have to be able to speak life into your kids when they need you most. Sometimes little people get mad when corrected or reprimanded, and you have to be able to get them back into a learning mode, and this is no easy feat.
It’s Easier When your Organized. It is possible to be an unorganized teacher, but it's so much easier to work at the skills needed to become an organized one. Based on your class sizes you could be grading over 100 papers on a weekly basis, and so having clear systems and routines to maintain these things is key. In addition, you'll be asked to complete paperwork, input grades, add to portfolios, type up minutes, and so being organized will save you precious time.
Strong Communication is Key. You will literally be talking all day because of teaching, meetings, and parent conferences. You will often find yourself exhausted at the end of the day due to talking so much. Being able to communicate often is not enough, you have to be an effective communicator. This means knowing how to build relationships and mend them when they are damaged. Conflicts will arise and being able to navigate them with effective communication is going to make the job easier.
It’s a Long Game. Teaching doesn't have any quick payoffs. You have to be so committed to the work and deeply understand that it's your purpose to get that initial fulfillment, it's a long game. The Gratitude often comes back much later once students are older, and understand what you sacrificed for them to learn. It is so worth it though, when you see them taking on careers and thriving.
Teaching is an Art & Science. Teaching is an art and a science and if you think of either subject their not easy at first. Don't expect to be a master teacher in your first year it's likely not to happen. You can never underestimate how many facets there are to teaching and improving your practice, so take a deep breath. Take your time and learn as you go. Find the best teachers in your building and learn from them.
Include Your Kids in the Lessons. Include your students in your lessons let them see themselves, and people that look like them. It not only shows them what is possible, but invests them in the learning. Rather than being passive they can actively engage with lessons about their community, their people, and their history. This will take some extra work, but let the students help you by telling you what interests them, what’s going on in their community, and find ways to build it in.
Pay is Likely to Stay Low. The fact is none of us got into this work for the money, so don't let this fact sway you, we just find it best to be honest upfront. Though there’s much talk of what teachers deserve, we don't know that anyone is likely to see the impact on pay anytime soon.
Emotion Management is Going to Make or Break You. One of the hardest things about teaching is managing your emotions, partly because you are taking on so many when interacting with the students. You have to remember that you are the emotional constant in the classroom, and your modeling for students what appropriate behavior and communication looks like and sounds like. Do what you need to do to stay mentally healthy, and manage the emotions that come with the work, because they can be heavy.