Observing that “Ah-ha” Moment

For many teachers, getting to observe the moment a child grasps a new concept is absolutely breathtaking. Most teachers understand there is a constructive struggle that comes with learning new material. For some students, they grasp the idea and move forward with application of that skill. For others, it takes longer to be able to understand how to tackle a skill. However, when that struggling student first discovers the way to solve a problem or complete a science experiment and their eyes brighten and their smile widens, the teacher shines within. It is that “Ah-ha” moment that makes the struggle of the learner fade away and the teacher shares in the pride of knowing a new skill has been mastered.

Every Day is Something New

Because children are so inquisitive and learn at different rates, there is no way to predict what each day will bring. Some days students come in eager to learn, and other days they come in needing to share about a recent trip, new pet, or last night’s ballgame. Many teachers love this uncertainty and enjoy the challenge of never knowing what the day may bring.

Every Year is Different

In a similar way, every year can be different for a teacher. That is why teachers get a new plan-book every year. Some classes as a whole may have been exposed to more experiences and may grasp skills quickly. Some may have had a disruptive previous year and need more counseling and support before learning can begin. Sometimes a teacher may choose to loop with a group of students and change grade levels with that group. Some may choose to teach a different subject or content area. No matter what, teachers have the opportunity to change each year and often they enjoy this flexibility and diversity of their job.

Positively Impact Young People

Many teachers realize and love the fact that they have the chance to positively impact student’s lives. For some students, school can be the best seven hours of the day. It is a place to feel safe, receive a warm meal, and know that someone cares. In addition, teachers can be a sounding board for students with personal issues. They can offer advice or find community support for a family problem. Teachers are able to help students understand that mistakes are for learning and shape their goals for the future.

Thinking Outside of the Box

For many adults, their ideas are fully developed, and it is hard to see another side of an issue. Teachers get the opportunity to see how students often bring different perspectives to a situation. They may find a new way of solving a problem or be able to help a friend in a way that the teacher had not considered. When teachers open their classroom for discussions on topics, the teacher often is the one who learns a new approach.

Watching Children Grow

Whether it is watching a student grow physically, emotionally, or academically, there is a sense of accomplishment on the part of the teacher. Watching a child grow from a baby-faced child to full-bodied youth in the course of a year is something most parents get to do only once per child, but teachers can see this transformation every year. Likewise, seeing a fledgling reader develop into a child who reads fluently with comprehension of the story can be just as exciting. Teachers get the opportunity to view these changes with a classroom full of students every year and continue to see them grow as they move grades throughout the school.

Professional Growth

Because teaching is not a stagnant career, there are always opportunities to grow professionally. Curriculum may change or new strategies may make learning easier. Teachers get the chance to be a part of this change and see how it affects student progress. In addition, teachers also get the chance to learn new jobs and advance in their field if it suits their interest. Some teachers may develop a love of helping students read and decide to become a reading coach. Some may love to see English Language Learners blossom in both the language and the content standards, then they may become certified in that area. Others may realize their love for leading and work to advance to the level of an administrator. Education is a career with many opportunities for professional growth and development.

Children Say the Funniest Things

Many careers are mundane work in stuffy offices with opinionated grownups talking about boring topics. Teaching is far from this setting. Students can come out with some of the funniest sayings, jokes, and thoughts that makes teaching a true joy. When a student spouts their rendition of something mom has said over dinner or summarizes a story in a matter-of-fact way, it can provide the chuckle a teacher needs to make it through the day. This is one of the best reasons teachers love their jobs, because they love their students and their perspective.

Building Lasting Relationships

Whether it is for a semester or for an entire school year, teachers have the opportunity to build relationships with their students. When a teacher becomes an active listener and provides support for students in all aspects of their lives, students will remember this. Years later, when shopping at the store and a grown child calls you by name and stops to catch you up on their progress, it is spectacular. Likewise, when a teacher gets the chance to teach the child of a former student or work alongside a former student who is now in the teaching profession, it can be exhilarating to know that you were a part of that successful story.

When all of these wonderful reasons are combined, it is easy to see why teaching is the best job in the world.

*Updated April 2021

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In reality, educating children and young adults requires not only extensive training, practice, and skills, but also a number of personal commitments that teachers must embrace if they are to succeed in the field and ultimately leave a positive and lasting impression on their students. An overview of the seven commitments of high-quality educators is as follows:

Commit to lifelong learning.

One does not become a successful teacher simply by completing a four-year degree and reading a few popular books on education. The absolute best teachers are those who realize that they will never reach a point at which they have learned everything there is to know about curriculum content and good pedagogy.

As a result, educators must remain actively engaged in studying how students learn best along with the ways in which culture and socio-economics impacts students individually. It has recently been stated that schools are preparing students for careers that do not even exist yet. Given the explosion of technology and drastic changes in the way the world functions, teachers must remain current and grow with the times as opposed to teaching the same way in 2021 as they did in 2001.

Commit to serving students academically.

Teaching is not and should not be viewed as a selfish profession. Teachers certainly play the leading role within the classroom environment; however, they should not approach the classroom from the perspective of what makes their job easiest. Effective teaching is hard, challenging work that often requires hours of advanced preparation. Simply lecturing students for a class period requires less preparation than developing an engaging learning activity; however, engagement is what leads to understanding.

Think about your own classroom experiences. Do you remember more about the teacher who leaned against the wall and recited facts about the American Revolution or the teacher who required you to recreate the battle of Yorktown with Lego blocks? Chances are, the lecture escapes your memory, but the kinesthetic activity remains.

Commit to serving students personally.

A wise professor once said that good educators must be able to “love the unlovely.” Teachers thrive on interactions with students who quickly grasp new concepts and complete their homework assignments on time. A fact that often goes unrecognized is that students who are the most disruptive and disengaged often are the ones with the greatest need of attention from the teacher.

Teachers must commit to connecting with challenging students on a personal level. Once the trust in the relationship has been established, which may take significant time, academic progress can begin to be made.

Teachers also should pay attention to whether or not students’ physical needs are met. A student who did not eat breakfast would benefit from a granola bar from an extra box in the teacher’s desk and better be able to focus; while a student who suffers from neglect may benefit from extra individual attention.

Commit to being involved after the school day ends.

Although it may sound ironic, some of the strongest classroom relationships are built outside the classroom through teachers’ involvement with extra-curricular programs including sports, clubs, and service organizations.

Involvement in after-school activities provides an opportunity for teachers and students to interact in less formal situations. This level of interaction tends to humanize the teacher and transform him or her from some type of cyborg-like being that knows a great deal about science or math into a relatable individual who is deserving of respect both inside and outside of the classroom.

Commit to developing a growth mindset.

On average, teachers spend approximately 35 years in the field. An old cliché states that some teachers don’t really teach for 35 years…they just teach the first year 35 times. This mentality will not serve teachers well, especially during challenging circumstances like the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

In order to be effective, teachers must be willing to grow and adapt not only with new curricular content, but also with new procedures and methods of instruction. Perhaps the most critical aspect of a growth-minded individual is the ability to remain flexible and adapt quickly. Getting oneself into a rut is easy for educators unless they intentionally focus upon remaining open to new ideas and practices.

Commit to being “drama” free.

The word drama probably is overused when describing the interactions of adolescent students; however, it is a fitting term to describe unnecessary emotional reactions to issues that generally have no identifiable long-term significance. Just as students display dramatic behaviors, if they are not careful, teachers can also fall prey to this unproductive behavior.

For some unknown reason, rumors seem to pass through school faculty lounges as quickly as water through a coffee filter. This naturally creates widespread misinformation that is not based in facts. Teachers should commit to the process of going to the source, be it an administrator or fellow teacher, with questions and concerns before stirring up themselves and their colleagues with misinformation. The general school climate becomes much more productive and significantly less stressful when everyone deals in facts as opposed to rumors.

Commit to personal time.

Teaching is a profession that requires nearly constant giving on the part of the educator. If teachers are not careful, they can be subject to unnecessary fatigue and burnout. In order to avoid these pitfalls, teachers should intentionally make time to spend with their friends and families and generally doing activities they find to be relaxing.

Often, professional educators focus so much on their careers that they forget to make time for themselves and their own health and wellbeing. Ultimately, teachers cannot be fully effective if their own needs are not met, so purposefully planning “non-school” time is paramount both to good health as well as good teaching.

While this list is far from comprehensive, following the seven identified commitments will prepare teachers for long-term success and enjoyment in the classroom.

*Updated March 2021

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“It takes a village to raise a child” is a common phrase used in education and society at large when describing the efforts required to bring a young person into the world. But who is a part of that village? Often, there are many “unsung heroes” in our schools that contribute to the growth and development of our students, as well as the productivity of our whole school community, who may not get the recognition they deserve.

Office staff, nurses, custodians, cafeteria staff, librarians, bus drivers, teaching assistants, and clinical staff like counselors, social workers, and psychologists are all key parts of a school “village” that deserve recognition year round. These adults dedicate their days (and often nights) to ensuring students are provided with safety and support, while also often being a critical connection for parents and caregivers to get the support they need.

Whether you are a teacher or an administrator, making time to honor and celebrate these staff members not only motivates them to continue doing their best, but also sets an important example to your students that everyone’s contributions are important, whether it is emptying a trash can or carrying a heavy instrument off a bus for a student. How do you recognize and celebrate these individual members of your school “village”? Try a few of the suggestions below; you are sure to notice an immediate positive impact, and feel good yourself, too!

How to Honor Unsung School Heroes

• During Teacher Appreciation Week, be sure to publicly celebrate all levels of staff. Make banners outside for the bus drivers, hang posters on the custodian’s office, and include recognitions of these employees on school announcements and in newsletters. Most importantly, have students contribute to these efforts either by making cards or posters, hand-delivering items, or reading aloud the words of appreciation for adults to hear. Having students be a part of the process both reminds the staff the impact they are having, and also teaches the students the importance of appreciating the hard work of others.
• Be sure unsung heroes are invited to important school-wide committees and have a voice in the conversation. Having your nurse be a part of Principal’s Advisory, or your custodian sit in on the Safe School Climate Committee, both invites their ideas and perspective to the decision-making process, but also offers them a window into the perspectives of others which is important to assist them in being successful in their roles. Being as inclusive as possible breaks down walls between staff members with the committee responsibility of problem solving and collaboratively working towards new goals.
• Write formal notes of recognition to their supervisors when you notice excellent work. Advocating for the hard work of others to those that evaluate them not only ensures their efforts are seen, but can be motivating for those staff members to repeat the positive behaviors recognized.
• Is your school a PBIS school or do you have a recognition program like a character award? Be sure these members of your school community are honored with that recognition in front of your students, whether it be at an assembly or on school-wide announcements. Having students hear and see the value of these individuals both develops respect for adults and instills a natural instinct to appreciate the actions of all, no matter their formal title.
• Look for curricular opportunities for these unsung heroes to be recognized in the classroom. Is your second grade learning about community helpers, or your fifth grade writing an opinion piece that debates if chocolate milk should be served in the cafeteria? Engage these important staff members in student learning to create authenticity for students. What you may not realize is the cafeteria staff, custodians, and other unsung heroes may actually enjoy the experience just as much, if not more, than the students!
• Work with your PTO or PTA to ensure these members of your community are recognized in special ways. Use the traditions of your PTO group, whether it be welcoming new staff with a special gift or sending birthday cards, to embrace these unsung heroes as important members of your school team that deserve equal recognition.

As you consider how to honor the unsung heroes of your school, never forget the famous words of L.R. Knost: “Our children are watching how we live far more than they are hearing what we say. They are learning how to live by our choices, not by our words.” Remember that the time you put into appreciating the work of these unsung heroes with your actions instills lifelong respect and humility in your students as they learn to appreciate the contributions of all. Never forget, “it takes a village!”

*Updated March 2021

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Positive Aspects of Teaching

Camaraderie with Other Teachers

Teaching is a career that offers a huge support system built right into your daily routines. Whether your school is broken into teams of teachers or if you get to meet regularly with other teachers in your prep periods, teaching gives you the opportunity to always have others to lean on for support and to share failures and successes. This type of camaraderie will help you learn new techniques and strategies to use in your classes.

“Aha Moment”

There is nothing more magical than when you see a student have an “aha moment” Watching your students succeed and grasp new concepts is the best feeling in the world. These moments may come when you are least expecting it. Sometimes, we may have a challenging student in our class due to a behavior or attendance problem, for example. However, we must never give up on our students because even the most difficult students may have an “aha moment.” That students and you will be forever bonded over that experience and is one of the most rewarding aspects of teaching.

Sharing Your Passion

Teachers are passionate about the subject matter they teach, otherwise they would never be in the profession. Teaching gives you the opportunity to share that passion and knowledge with others. You get to go into work every day and talk about or discuss topics that you love and know so much about. There are not many professions that can say this. Your students will realize how passionate you are about the subject and may become excited about it too. Students feed off of the energy that their teacher brings into class every day. So, being passionate about the subject will make them want to learn more about it.

Opportunity to Further Your Knowledge

An excellent benefit of teaching is the need to always stay up-to-date on the best practices and strategies that can benefit our students. Teaching is a profession where we are constantly learning new things. It may not be new content, but we are learning new ways to best reach our students. Our teaching licenses require professional development and districts provide these opportunities to teachers.

Negative Aspects of Teaching

Lack of Support from Administrators and School Board Directors

There are many times when those in power make decisions without consulting with the teaching staff. Administrators and school directors may feel that certain programming needs to be implemented in schools without actually talking to the teachers who will be presenting it. This could cause confusion and frustration for teachers. Sometimes, teachers may feel that their opinions do not matter when they are not part of the discussion.

Not Enough Support for Students

There are school years when a teacher may find herself with a class of 30 students with a variety of needs. There may be 10 students with an IEP and 4 students whose first language is not English. This can be very overwhelming especially if the teacher does not receive additional support in the classroom. As teachers, all we want to do is to reach all of the children sitting in our classrooms. However, this may seem impossible when the needs of so many students are so high and there is no additional support given.

Salary

There are many who say that when you choose to teach, you are not doing it for the money, you are doing it for the children. This is an extremely unfortunate part of the profession. There are many school districts whose pay for teachers is so low that teachers have to get a second job. No matter what, we all work because we need an income for our own families. Therefore, it is disappointing when teachers are not compensated fairly and thought of as greedy when asking for higher salaries in new contracts.

Failing to Help Difficult Students

No matter how hard we try, there may always be a student whom we cannot help. We can try everything and still not be able to break through to a reluctant student. This can be devastating to a teacher. We care about our students so much and want to see them succeed, so when we cannot help them, it can cause us to lose sleep over the situation.

No matter what profession a person enters, there are pros and cons to the job. It is important to know about both sides so you are not overwhelmed when confronted with anything negative. Teaching is the same. A person needs to be aware of the negatives but should never feel overwhelmed by them. They should never prevent a passionate person from entering the field. The positive aspects are so wonderful that they outweigh the negatives for many teachers.

*Updated March 2021

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