Elementary school teacher

[BaileysMom2008]

I am working on my degree in early education and i also work with a second grade class. I have always been told the pay is not good. And i said i know what the pay is but i still want to do it. I want to make a difference in at least one child's life.

It was so hard for to explain exactly how i felt about teaching and what teaching is.... but i could never find the exact words....until..... I had a professor share this with me and this is EXACTLY what teaching is!

What Do Teachers Make?
One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?" He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach." To stress his point he said to another guest; "You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?"

Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, then began...) "Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.

I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor.

I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental... You want to know what I make?" (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.)

I make kids wonder.
I make them question.
I make them criticize.
I make them apologize and mean it.
I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.
I teach them to write and then I make them write.
I make them read, read, read.
I make them show all their work in math.
I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity.
I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.

Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life.

(Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.) "Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant... You want to know what I make?

I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make?"

"Teachers make every other profession "

[CollegeCutieUSF]

Wow. Sounds like New York is the place to be in you want to be a teacher! Here in Florida teachers only start at 33,000 to 35,000. Even with a masters, they are only at around 35,000 to 40,000. I couldn't imagine a teacher in Florida making anywhere near $75,000... unless we're talking a Professor at a University.

Oh, and teachers ALWAYS bring their work home. My mother has been a teacher for at least 30 years....and let's just say that she's really been burnt out these past few years....

To the OP: If teaching is something you think you'd enjoy doing, then do it! The money sucks, you'll bring home work most days, the kids will also be brats most days... If you don't absolutely love it, you'll end up hating it. But if you love it, it can be great. Good luck!

[marcerella02]

Originally Posted by mizzwanned

Thats true..i remember hearing about that. But overall did she like it? How do you like teaching h.s.?

She loved it because she loves kids- especially grade 8. however, looking back she probaby would have done high school.

high school is GREAT! you teach the subjects you LOVE (for the most part) and i love the age group- but you have to like teens

[marcerella02]

Originally Posted by BaileysMom2008

I am working on my degree in early education and i also work with a second grade class. I have always been told the pay is not good. And i said i know what the pay is but i still want to do it. I want to make a difference in at least one child's life.

It was so hard for to explain exactly how i felt about teaching and what teaching is.... but i could never find the exact words....until..... I had a professor share this with me and this is EXACTLY what teaching is!

What Do Teachers Make?
One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?" He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach." To stress his point he said to another guest; "You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?"

Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, then began...) "Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.

I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor.

I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental... You want to know what I make?" (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.)

I make kids wonder.
I make them question.
I make them criticize.
I make them apologize and mean it.
I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.
I teach them to write and then I make them write.
I make them read, read, read.
I make them show all their work in math.
I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity.
I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.

Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life.

(Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.) "Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant... You want to know what I make?

I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make?"

"Teachers make every other profession "

That's great- i love it! thanks for posting it

[BaileysMom2008]

Originally Posted by marcerella02

That's great- i love it! thanks for posting it

Your so welcome!

[MindieRose]

I think if you ask almost anyone in this country who has a profession, they will say they don't get paid enough. Most people think they deserve more. The great thing about our country (for now anyway) is that we get to choose what we want to be. If you want to be a teacher, you can! If you want to be a police officer, you can! Its great. If someone thinks that teachers don't get paid enough, don't be a teacher.
I am neither here nor there about how well teachers are paid. Teachers know how much the jobs typically pay when they decide to go to school for it. If it is their calling to teach, then they do it.
I am the responsible for shaping my children, I do not leave that to a teacher. I do appreciate their cooperation in it though. I homeschooled for several years, and have recently considered going back to it. I love teaching, but I don't know if I would care to do it in a classroom setting.

[RowdysMom]

Originally Posted by chattiesmom

Many teachers teach for 20 - 30 years (sounds like a long time to someone in their late teens early 20's), retire and start getting retirement checks immediately, then embark on a new carreer in their early 50's having time to get a second retirement.

Teachers last because they value their job, love the children and feel like they are making a difference.

I know a couple of people who did just the opposite - they worked another job for 20+ years, and when they retired, they did what they had always wanted to to - be a teacher. One friend of mine taught middle school math/science for 10 years after he "retired" - not my choice of jobs, but he absolutely loved it.

There are lots of teachers in my family. I'm a teacher, but I teach nursing in a university - so not really the same. Teachers are not paid enough, but the benefits are good, and you DO get summers off - especially after teaching the same grade for awhile, preparation in the summer is minimal.

I think teachers need to love learning, because you definitely learn something new all the time!