How difficult is it being a teacher? Is it the most stressful job in the World or the most rewarding?
415373
Being a teacher is probably both very stressful and very rewarding. You have a lot of responsibility but perhaps more importantly the best opportunity to help develop future generations.\n\nSome outside the profession find it hard to comprehend how complex the job is. Many "outsiders" think we just work 8:30 to 3:30 or similar and get a break every six weeks or so (well in the UK anyway). The thing is the job isn't 9-5 but it definitely isn't 8:30-3:30 either. Good teachers will always put in the extra time, whether it be working in the evenings or over the weekend. And yes we may get a break from the kids every six weeks, but it doesn't mean that we are relaxing and enjoying ourselves all the time...\n\nIf you are thinking about becoming a teacher I would thoroughly recommend it. It is a difficult job to do but it is the most rewarding job I have ever done and I wouldn't give it up for anything.\n\nIf you want more info feel free to contact me.
520525
I use to teach- and LOVED it (most days)- but then I had my kids.  Now that they are young, I tutor in my house.  \n\nIt is convenient and flexible. I love that I can be more relaxed and that I have the opportunity to meet some great kids. \n\nI do however, miss teaching a class of students- When I taught I worked with the whole class, in small groups and one and one all in a given day.  I DO NOT the miss the stress of the politics behind teaching....still I hope to go back someday.... goodness knows when that will be.  In the meantime- I will have to stick to tutoring and visiting this website :) \n\n\nGreat question !
268563
ABSOLUTELY!!!  It is difficult to describe, but there is a high level of stress.  I tell people that teaching is live raising 30-150 kids.  Kids try your patience all of the time, but that is in their nature.\n\nAnother thing about teaching is that you cannot do anything about your pay scale.  In other jobs, you get paid for the amount of work you do and you get to almost work your way to the top.  That is not available to us.  Unless you leave the classroom, you will not receive adequate raises.\n\nAlso, teacher spend a considerable amount of money on their students.  You have to buy your own crayons, markers, construction paper, bulletin board decorations, and in some cases, you have to pay for your own copies. On average, I spend at least $200 a month on my students.\n\nFace it, people do not teach to make money!!!
519139
No, It's actually easy.  Especially if you are assisting an active teacher.  It's also fun, but it has its perk and downfalls, but I think it's well worth the time.
664900
I would say teaching in Memphis is prolly the hardest place to teach at in Tennessee. The school system there isn't really the problem, it's the students. Memphis has more than its fair share of violent teens, all of course who go to school. If you could choose any other place to teach at, do it!
373767
The students always make it worth it, but you're in for lots of stress and heartburn (mostly administrative).  The coursework (if you keep your answers "politically correct") is pretty straightforward. Learn education-profession lingo, get faimiliar with laws, rules, and procedures, learn about different curriculum and methodology, etc.\n\nWhile you go through your teacher prep at the college/university, I would strongly recommend that you substitute teach for your local district (as soon as your credit hours make you eligible). There is a world of difference between a new teacher with substitute teaching experience, and one who only has had practicums.\n\nIt's once you walk into your first day as a full teacher that the "overwhelming" path to burn-out (lol) starts. Make sure you have a mentor teacher, who has at least 5 years teaching experience, preferably one that teaches the same level/subjects you teach, who is organized and not burnt out yet, and who is upbeat and patient, to walk you through all the expectations the district will have that nobody happened to mention to you during induction, interviews, staff meetings, etc. because the "old hands" all have those routines down...\n\nBe prepared for overloaded classes, an even greater diversity of learning abilities and behavior issues in your class as inclusion becomes an even greater focus, weekly lesson plans, daily paper grading, attendance paperwork, progress reports, fundraiser paperwork and coordination, parent outreach paperwork and phone calls, duty schedule, safety drills and related paperwork, student referral (learning or discipline issues) paperwork, Child Study meetings, grade-level meetings, school-wide staff meetings, school committee meetings, in-service training meetings, evening classes for professional development requirements, PTA, NEA or other professional organization activities, evening activities from different organizations, parent-teacher conferences, supervision of educational assistants and classroom volunteers, collaborative projects with other teaching staff, oh, and I think teaching the students comes in somewhere in there, too. \n\nIf you choose special education, also be prepared (in addition to the above) for IEP meetings, additional student progress reports, additional student assessments, additional planning time for individualized programming, additional time taken up consulting with other teachers for inclusion support and/or joint projects, additional conferences and training for profressional development, additional staff meetings and in-service trainings for special education specifically, and increased contact time for parents. \n\nDo all this for 1/2 to 1/3 the pay of any other profession with your level of training. \n\nAnd then, the kid turns to you, with a big grin on his/her face, and says..."WOW. That makes Sense!!! THANK YOU!!!" and all of it is TOTALLY worth it! My husband (also a teacher) has had the joy of running into students, now as adults, who have thanked him for his efforts.\n\nI love my job. It is a difficult path to take, however. I would suggest volunteering at your local school system to get a feel for things and see if it is something you really do want to do.
857249
I have a degree + teaching certificate.  I need to know what questions you have difficulty with.  Examples please.
884378
Kim, I teach at a public university and I am very demanding of my teacher education students.  It's not meanness, it's not evil intent; instead, we just want them to work as hard as they are able, to soak up as much as they can, in preparation for life.  You see, you are about to go into the big-bad world in a couple of years -- wouldn't you rather apply yourself now so you will have success then?  \n\nMy students know I am hard.  They have commented, and I readily acknowledge, that I am the toughest of all the teachers.  However, that said, they say how much more prepared they will be when they leave due to this high level of expectations.  Instead of thinking the teachers are out to get you, couldn't you think they are just trying to get you as prepared as possible?  And be grateful?  If they aren't going to push you, who will?\n\nGood luck -- and I hope it makes sense to you!
229457
MUST LOVE CHILDREN.  The most important factor in being a "good teacher" is to have a love for children and a great deal of patience.
911095
I am 36 and this is my eighth year teaching.  The first 1-3 years are tricky because you have to figure out how to NOT spend 2-3 hours after the fact grading papers.  It took me about 2 years to figure out what works for me and what doesn't.  I spend a lot of time around positive people who love their jobs and who are willing to share and receive new ideas.  I keep a binder of ideas, good and terrible, to help me keep from making mistakes over and over.  As far as the pay goes...yeah, I'm underpaid.  But you know what?  I work 180 days a year from 7:30-3:30.  I am out of school when my child is out of school.  I do something everyone of those 180 days a year that really matters.  Talk to people who love their jobs and see if they say things that sound appealing to you.  Truth is...nobody ever decided to be a teacher because the pay is awesome or because it is easy as pie.  Folks who love teaching either feel called to do it, love kids, enjoy the opportunity to do something different in the summer (I got my real estate license and sell at my will), etc.  If you have a deep feeling that it isn't the right thing for you, move on.  There are children who deserve a teacher who wants to be there and who feel good about their work.
174526
It depends on what age group you enjoy teaching, I think. As with any teaching job, there are good days and bad days, but overall, I believe it's what you really enjoy that makes any job worthwhile. Let me give a couple of examples.....\n\nOne of my friends teaches 3rd grade, and she loves them because of how naturally curious they are. She finds it easy to make up simple projects for the kids to do, and she loves watching them grasp more complex concepts throughout the year.\n\nOne of my other friends teaches 9th grade and wouldn't dare teach anyone younger. She finds younger children immature, erratic, annoying, etc. She would have a hard time trying to keep a class full of 7- and 8-year-olds busy. \n\nSo I think it's a matter of perspective! Not exactly a straight-on answer, I know, but it's the only one I have.
238301
Oh, but it is. Just not generally in this country. Go to any Western block European country and watch the teachers & professors are teaching out of doors, having interesting & lively conversations with their students in pubs, sitting on the campus lawns when school is out & having discussions, encouraging their pupils & enjoying their successes. Teachers here, as a rule, are competitive and arrogant. They don't truly love teaching or their students. Of course the school systems here are more difficult for them.
478292
I find myself thinking about work, i'm a teacher and i think about which kids are having probs and what i'm going to do about it, then i realise i'm getting stressed and try to think about other stuff. It's hard.
576488
Remember that teaching in real life and teaching "concepts" and "methods" they teach you in school are very very different.  You have to be resourceful, patient, resilient, confident, creative, and strong!!!  Dealing with students daily is not easy and sometimes feel like a battle.  Also, there is a lot of politics involved with the administration and parents.  Be prepared for the worst and reap your rewards!
520302
I encourage each and every person who thinks teaching is an easy job to become one. Go to college, get your 4-year degree in education and a specialty (subject area, elementary, special ed, bilingual, etc.), and get a job "doing nothing." For a more detailed description of what you face, go to this question:\nhttp://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AtVb_TJAUD4OKZrC6Y4p6tDsy6IX?qid=1006040702012\n\nDuring summer vacation, teachers...\n\n-- plan for the following year, make new centers and activities, etc.\n-- take professional development courses\n-- teach summer school\n-- teach summer courses at a nearby college\n-- spend time with their families, parenting, etc.\n-- do community volunteer work\n-- work a second job\n-- train with the National or State Guards\n\nand so on.\n\nAlso, many districts are going to the "Year-round" calendar, and therefore have only about 2 to 4 weeks, instead of 10, for summer vacation. Therefore, all the teachers do for those breaks is hurridly spend time with family and work on their plans for the next session. Teacher's official contract time is 182 days or so (1/2 year)... but that doesn't count weekends (104 days per year) so teachers really are hired on their contracts for 286 days. Teacher take lots of their work home with them, and do lots of meetings, trainings, additional college classes, etc. during the remaining "off" days (all 11 weeks... spring break is one week, 10 weeks for summer).\n\nBefore you knock teachers regarding pay, consider...\n\nTo be a teacher requires at least a 4-year college degree, and most districts now are encouraging their staff to earn Master's degrees and Doctorates.\n\nA person with a 4-year degree in Accounting STARTS at least at $40,000. In Computer Science at least at $45,000. In Chemical Engineering at $52,000. And so on.\n\nThe AVERAGE teacher, for that AVERAGE pay of $40,000, has a Master's Degree and about 15 YEARS of experience.  Most teachers start at around $25,000 to $30,000 per year. By their 15th year, it has only risen to $38,000 average (not $40,000). For those of you out there that don't quite grasp how long 15 years of experience is... if you are 25 when you graduate and get your first job, you'll be 40 years old before you see that $38,000 pay. \n\nWith 15 years of experience, the AVERAGE salaries for people with Master's Degrees (most 15-year or better teachers have a Master's) are Geologists with Petroleum companies etc. $110,000, Video Game Programmers $85,000, Video Game Animators $75,000, Buisness Services Technology Application Directors $98,000, Lawyers $95,000, etc. All you have to do is Google "average salary experience degree," and start clicking down the list.
656982
Are we talking sex or careers here?\n\nI'm a teacher, I want to spank them. And I'm submissive. I want to spank them too. Yeah, spankings all around.
547196
Currently, the School of Life. This one is tough, more so than my other former schooling.