I guess I can see the reasons as to why it isnt…we get so many holidays.
HOWEVER
It’s hard work!
Teaching the very little (ankle biters) is all about laying the foundations for future education and (more importantly) teaching morals, values, social interaction, rules, routines, how to learn, setting them up for life really!
Teaching the very big (head butters) is fundemental for society, the future, the next generation.
Last year on my teaching course I met many a few trainee teachers (the men) saying they were only training to be a teacher as ‘its easy’.
I actually dislike telling people what I do sometimes, most discount it as ‘baby sitting’ and very few say its a humbling profession.
I do not do what I do to look after children, I aim to stimulate, motivate and encourage exciting learning opportunities.
Basically…teachers are not respected as they should be. I don’t mean the whole ‘bow down to all teachers’ kind of respect. I mean the whole ’ value my profession as a real one’ kind of respect.
I have to deal with adult politics too, I mean sitting in the wrong chair in the staff room can cause various implications to maintaining professional relationships. Oh and using another teachers tea mug!
Yeah, I have the same issue. People don't consider teaching and especially teaching kindergarten as a real profession. They think all you do is play with kids and thats it.
Though, I don't have any staff room issues at the moment but then I haven't really spend any time there.
Only People who actually LIKE teaching should teach. If one is really in love with teaching, other considerations (such as what other people think) do not matter. In other professions, one can be unsatisfied with her job but it doesn't really hurt others much. Teaching and Medicine are the professions where one has to be 'committed' with heart, since you are dealing with two of most important elements in OTHER peoples' lives.
Politics are a part of every organisation, from Kindergarten to Microsoft.
hmmm..... in short, teaching is considered as a valuable profession certainly in the west- and I agree with kakabili, those who can, teach.......you do have to be a dedicated educator- if you want to earn lots of money in a short space of time, then teaching is certainly a no no for you.................as a child, I always wanted to become a teacher and alhamdoilah have never regretted the decision......you need to have a dedication to it, a passion that comes from within..... its quite a powerful profession in the sense that you are shaping young peoples minds and in one respect you could be the catalyst of their talents and capabilities or at the other end of the spectrum, the destroyer of all their hopes and aspirations...............we all remember good and bad teachers.....................a good teacher however becomes that ever illuminating light .......that lights our souls to learn, aspire and be.
Would you say that a teacher is 'down grading' their academic ability by teaching?
As in, teachers do not reach their intellectual potential by just being a teacher. We don't increase our intelligence on a daily basis, learn new and exciting facts that enhance our intelligence?
milly hun… we do get involved with our bog standard teaching and learning side of teaching but it is up to the individual to want to learn and aspire to intellectually be developed and challenged…being proactive about your own development is open to all and quite frankly we should be- undertaking an MA whilst continuing with our professions is also a way forward to develop internally and academically- and also taking on roles of responsibilities also would enhance our current expereince…its all about how passionate u are to drive ur career forward…:k:
No milly not at all...........I was simply advising that if you really care about driven intellectually then there are other avenues to pursue to reach that goal- an MA is one way another is participating in CPD in your school, creating linnks with the wider community such as colleges and places..............I am a teacher and I am intellectually motivated whilst being a " bog standard teacher"!!!!! I hope ur getting my point?
Milly,
Why would you even use a term like bog standard… although I’ve heard the term used multiple times before, it just sounds derogatory or dismissive. I might be wrong but you seem to be a disheartened by something, and you’ll need to overcome this feeling to be able to respect your profession. Once you find the right reasons to start respecting it yourself, others will respect you and your choices as well.
To me, there’s nothing ordinary or mundane about teaching at all - no matter at what level. As far as intellectual capacity is concerned, I agree with poppies in that it’s really up to the individual to advance and excel in any direction that they determine to be pertinent to their career goals. Even in the most basic of subjects, there’s always something new going on - pick up a field publication and find out. Furthermore, there’s always novel pedagogical strategies and tactics to try out, and always opportunities to involve yourself creatively in the development of your students. Finally, you can use your experiences to shape the learning for teachers of tomorrow - publish articles, find stints at teacher's colleges etc.
Teaching is not quite a stagnant profession per say – it’s just what a teacher makes of it.
Milly,
Why would you even use a term like bog standard… although I’ve heard the term used multiple times before, it just sounds derogatory or dismissive. I might be wrong but you seem to be a disheartened by something, and you’ll need to overcome this feeling to be able to respect your profession. Once you find the right reasons to start respecting it yourself, others will respect you and your choices as well.
To me, there’s nothing ordinary or mundane about teaching at all - no matter at what level. As far as intellectual capacity is concerned, I agree with poppies in that it’s really up to the individual to advance and excel in any direction that they determine to be pertinent to their career goals. Even in the most basic of subjects, there’s always something new going on - pick up a field publication and find out. Furthermore, there’s always novel pedagogical strategies and tactics to try out, and always opportunities to involve yourself creatively in the development of your students. Finally, you can use your experiences to shape the learning for teachers of tomorrow - publish articles, find stints at teacher's colleges etc.
Teaching is not quite a stagnant profession per say – it’s just what a teacher makes of it.
hey!!!!!!!!!! LC.. it wasnt Milly at all that used that term- it was actually me!!!! I was trying to highlight to Milly that apart from our "normal" ( bog standard) workload of teaching it is up to the individual on how they wish to proceed their careers and depth of teaching- I guess I inadvertantly may adopted a have facatious tone but certainly meant no malice by it- the point being that I believe that teaching is a PROFESSIONAL & ACADEMIC career - theres no two ways about it!... and regardless of the extent Ive developed my career- teaching is in my humble opinion- a career that not only developes and shapes ur character , but one that intellectuallly allows you to grow and aspire- its all about how u as a practioner wish to further or enhance ur personal goals and aspirations...............and about what you as a person , a unique individual bring to it. LC apologies If my term of " bog standard" offended you or anyone else- it really wasnt my intention but I hope u can see how it was intended to be interpreted. Sorry LC.
^ no need to apologize poppies... in fact, I've seen many teachers use this term inadvertently without realizing that the term's original context was sort of condescending to their own profession. Ultimately, it's up to the individual to decide if they are bog standard, but there's nothing bog about teaching at all.
I agree 100% with your other comments - we're saying the same thing actually. I just presented a few examples off the top of my head that sort of went along the same lines as your opinion about intellectual advancement and continued professional development.
Milly,
Why would you even use a term like bog standard… although I’ve heard the term used multiple times before, it just sounds derogatory or dismissive. I might be wrong but you seem to be a disheartened by something, and you’ll need to overcome this feeling to be able to respect your profession. Once you find the right reasons to start respecting it yourself, others will respect you and your choices as well.
To me, there’s nothing ordinary or mundane about teaching at all - no matter at what level. As far as intellectual capacity is concerned, I agree with poppies in that it’s really up to the individual to advance and excel in any direction that they determine to be pertinent to their career goals. Even in the most basic of subjects, there’s always something new going on - pick up a field publication and find out. Furthermore, there’s always novel pedagogical strategies and tactics to try out, and always opportunities to involve yourself creatively in the development of your students. Finally, you can use your experiences to shape the learning for teachers of tomorrow - publish articles, find stints at teacher's colleges etc.
Teaching is not quite a stagnant profession per say – it’s just what a teacher makes of it.
ooohh thank you Lucid for your undertanding regarding my intent and how I used the term- I totally agree with what ur comments and sentiments are about teaching , wholly!!! Thanks :k:
I worked as a teacher for a year and I really have to say teaching is HARD work! I hate people who donot respect teachers and donot value their profession. It is honestly such an important job and teachers really deserve to get paid five times more than they do!! Just because teachers get the summers off, people think they have it soo easy and that its a job anyone can do. Ok maybe anyone can "do" it, but anyone can do anything!! It takes a special someone to be a good teacher and although it is very rewarding, it is still very demanding and difficult! Educating the next generations really is something our societies sadly donot evn enouhg importance to!
I worked as a teacher for ONE year. Surprised that I left it? Yeah it doesn’t pay, more work than the pay you get, and almost zero respect unless you make friends with your popular kids, which just causes more imbalance on what defines a kid as popular in the school world.
I had a lot of fun, and it was memorable, don’t get me wrong. But its a tough job, and drastically underappreciated.
I think more Pakistani women should take it up, though. Its better than sitting at home - the pay is a decent adjunct to whatever hubby is already bringing in, and instead of fighting with your susral or your neighbors or your kids, this is a good healthy way to get everything out of your system before you come home. Plus, kids need more muslim teachers to see we’re not crazy people.
I think more Pakistani women should take it up, though. Its better than sitting at home - the pay is a decent adjunct to whatever hubby is already bringing in, and instead of fighting with your susral or your neighbors or your kids, this is a good healthy way to get everything out of your system before you come home. Plus, kids need more muslim teachers to see we're not crazy people.
I'd have to disagree somewhat with that advice... A "peripheral" attitude is something you don't want to see in teachers. If they want to seriously take it up as a f-t or p-t career, sure... but it has to be more than just a job. There's too much at stake in terms of the impact teachers have on their students, and I wouldn't want some aunty teaching my kids at school only cuz she had nothing better to do.
