I thought it might be nice to share one thing we love about our job. Trying to keep this positive! I know some of that new school year glow has worn off for some of us so thought we might need a pick me up. I love that my kids are generally very well-behaved. I love that my principal and staff are so supportive. I love that I have choice in my curriculum and get to teach the novels I love. I love that my class sizes are small. I love that my time is valued. I love that our community is pretty supportive. I love that it really is like a big family. Sometimes I let the small things get me down and forget about the more important things!
A ha moments Laughing together My colleagues Supportive parents Making a difference for kids Professional growth Coaching/mentoring new teachers
I work with an incredible principal and amazing staff--we truly are a family (albeit a large one!) and are made to feel appreciated and supported every day. Laughing with my students as we get to know each other. Hugs from former students. Learning and growing every day.
I love my new students. I love how supportive my coworkers are. I love how well the school is run. I love that I'm trusted as a teacher and not micromanaged. And finally- I love that I walk to work!
A note from a parent telling me how last year her child cried and begged not to go to school, but this she jumps out of bed and rushes to get ready for school.
Getting to know the students. Each day I learn something new about each one (which makes me appreciate them even more). They never cease to amaze me! That I make a difference to a child. Creating a classroom climate which is fun and inviting.
I love most of my students. I love most of the students who drive me crazy. I may not like their student behavior but I like the person. I love my boss. In fact, I've thought about leaving because of a class from Hades but I wouldn't leave my boss I love what we are doing in the extra-curriculars I sponsor.
I love the way that children just "get it". They understand that friendships matter, little things in life can bring great joy such as a little paper Valentine, and there is joy in succeeding at something they never succeeded at before. I love the way that children look at the world. I love that with just small bits of effort, a teacher can make a child's day.
I'm in a new position this year, and I'm loving many parts of my new job. My most favorite thing is having an assistant! I also like not having a roster of my own, being able to finish projects, and having a lot of freedom to change the physical space of my room and philosophy of my program.
I absolutely adore my coworker in the office. We keep each other uplifted and laughing when things get tough.
I'm the psycho who loves the data stuff. I love looking at how well the kids are doing, where they need to improve, etc. It's kind of fun. I love how excited the kids get over simple things. Yesterday, for example, I did the matter experiment where I stuffed the paper towel in the cup and dunked the whole thing upside down into water only to remove it with a still-dry towel. (Thank goodness they have lunch just after science!) I love my co-workers as I've some pretty cool co-workers. I love the whole "feel" of school.
I love the fact that I get to help: students, parents, teachers, & my principal. I like being able to make my teachers' jobs easier (making sure schedules are in place, school procedures are methodically planned, test administration is well-organized, etc). I like the fact that I'm a leader, but I have someone above me (my principal) who I can go to if I'm unsure about how to solve an issue. As this is year three in my AP position, I'm feeling totally confident and comfortable. I'm even thinking about tossing my hat in the ring if there's a principal vacancy next school year.
This is year three for me as well in my position and I'm feeling the same way!! I'll go ahead and wish you good luck in getting a principal's job next year!
I love feeling like I'm making a difference, I love the hugs from my class every morning when they run in (I teach pre-k while I'm getting ready for my student teaching.) I love when kids who I didn't think were listening recall what I was saying later on. Mostly I just love feeling like I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing in my life.
Love helping kids "break through" and understand material that they thought that was beyond their grasp. their excitement is all the feedback that I will ever need. And the mentoring of students - chatting with them about issues beyond the classroom. Having them seek me out for advice. I enjoy shutting the door and leaving the 'other stuff" that we discuss here behind and just teaching. It is a great job, really.
I love my principal, coworkers, and our adult support staff. I'm realizing this year how rare it is to be this lucky. My principal has built a team that works! I specifically love that teachers are allowed the freedom to teach, and when my class is observed my principal sees positive in moments I never would have thought about. I love all of my students at some time or another, and some of them all of the time. (so far anyway!) I love how easy it is at my school to make copies and that we have technology for our students to use. I love the high level of questions my students are learning to be capable of. When it works, I love love love the a.c. in my building!
Me too! It's so easy to get bogged down in testing, data, etc... But I love the fact that the future is sitting right there in my room. It's very cool (and a little scary) to think about!
I teach an upper level middle school reading class. Most of the kids love reading! Any novel suggestions?
The Outsiders and the first Harry Potter are both really popular with our kids. So is The Giver. I did The Hunger Games a few years back with 8th grade. Now I do a dystopian lit circle with my sophomores. 8th is doing The Book Thief this year.
(Tom T. Hall from the album The Last Hard Town) I Love little baby ducks Old pickup trucks Slow movin' trains and rain I Love little country streams Sleep without dreams Sunday school in May and hay And I love you too. I Love--leaves in the wind Pictures of my friends Birds of the world--and squirrels I Love--coffee in a cup Little fuzzy pups Bourbon in a glass--and grass And I love you too.
Oh, that brought back memories, stephenpe! This morning, I loved being reminded that, way back in June, we had planned an afternoon of group team-building games for all of our grade 6-8 students the first Friday back--that's today!
I worked as an aide in high school, volunteer in college, a sub, student teacher & classroom... I loved it when students would walk in so happy to see you or when I walked down the hall & the students would do a small wave to you because they were in line! Lol I loved it when I would surprise them like subbing in K I would pull up next to them & color. When I subbed upper elem I would teach them to count in Japanese. My classroom I could tell they were getting antsy so we would do a 2 min stretch. I loved it even not being around those students as they grew older going to their graduations they were still so happy to see me. Knowing that I learned something from each & one of them during my teaching career & that I helped them build on their educational career.
I love my getting to know my students first and foremost. They are my reason for waking up every day and working late every night. The more I talk with them, the more I enjoy them. I love my new position as co-chair of the department. It allows me the chance to be a teacher leader while still working with students. As much as I thought I wanted to be in more of an administration role, this is where I belong. I love my team of teachers. When I started teaching 9th grade year-long (as opposed to semester blocks), there was only one other GenEd teacher, one SpEd teacher, and two reading specialists. Now, we're a team of 18. We collaborate like crazy and make sure the newer teachers are supported. They are my home base. I love my administration! They truly embrace the concept of leading by serving. It comes through in how they talk with the faculty and when I have contacted them with my concerns.
Seeing the kids have fun with creative lessons. My students are very low functioning special ed students so it takes a lot to get them engaged.
Oh, I don't know. There's nothing wrong with enjoying that particular perk of the job. I know it's not true for everyone in every situation, but I do enjoy having a contract job that pays be decently for the time worked, enough to cover the year, and allows me to have a big chunk of time off in the middle. I get a summer break, why should I feel bad about it?
One of my Grade 7 boys, when leaving at the end of the day today, walked past me and quietly said, "Best first week ever!"
It's sad to me if that's truly the only thing they enjoy about teaching. I find I enjoy about the first 3-4 weeks of summer, then unless I'm traveling I'm itching to go back and often do go in to do quite a bit of work. I'm not a fan of summer weather at all. I just get pretty bored!
I'm sure she was just using the old joke. You're right that it is sad if that's all you love about teaching, but I do think most of those types weed themselves out sooner rather than later.
I love those, but I also love September, October, November, December, January, February, March, and April. I must admit May can be a bit rough though as a teacher. I hope not too many people feel like September and October are like May.
I don't think anyone in their right mind would "love" 33+ kids in a class, textbooks being thrown away (or out the windows), no one interested in the subject matter, felons added to your class in mid-year, one word written on a piece of paper for an assignment and a declaration of, "I'm finished," etc., etc.. If I had a even a small percentage that raised their hands or showed me there was perhaps a dent made in them in their writing or reading comprehension, I would get a charge out of that. As it is, summers off, the pay, the benefits, the pension - that are the thing that keep me hanging in. :dunno:
You have windows?! :lol: sorry, couldn't resist. Wish my windows could open and looked out at something other than a big ugly building (court) across the street. I would LOVE windows that open!!! (but I do get what you are saying) (even though sometimes my mid semester juvies are the ones who try the hardest because they have deals with the judge to stay out of lock up)
There are definitely rough positions out there. Hopefully there's something you like about going to work though even if it's just a friend on staff!
I love... - My students. Our school just has some incredible kids. I am so grateful to teach them. - My principal. She is supportive, innovative, and amazing. She encourages us to be creative and try new things. - My school in general - it's just a fantastic, uplifting, encouraging place - My colleagues - The ability to be creative, problem solve, and try new things - The connections I make with my class over the course of a year - the family we create.
