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Ive been wanting to talk a little bit about my personal reasons for choosing this career path for some time, as we teachers rarely do this. As with much of what I write , I could list umpteen reasons why I love what I do, but I am going to stick to the top 5 and explain why those reasons are so important to me. This truly is a powerful calling, as any teacher knows, and though it is far from perfect it offers some things no other career can. Some of that will come through in the reasons below. 5. It is my primary creative outlet I truly enjoy crafting a learning experience for my students, to look through the outcomes I want to achieve and then move those into actions and activities that, I hope, students will engage with. Really thats what its all about, getting students connected with subject matter that you love in effective ways. I have the added bonus of being interested in technology and visual design, so I work hard to ensure that assignments, presentations and online activities look polished and professional for my students. While I often dont have enough time to create exactly the materials I would like, it is still a great way for me to hone my creative skills and enjoy my work. 4. It is personal As a High School teacher, I am what they call a specialist. I completed an English Degree before my Education Degree, and as such have an inherent interest in and knowledge of English and literature. I feel fortunate that this background has found expression in my teaching assignments over the years, and that I have been able to merge my personal interests in literature and what I do on a daily basis. However, that is not the only personal interest I bring to my work. During my University career I developed an aptitude for fixing, building and modifying computers. This interest in technology has moved in more recent years toward Apple technologies and mobile devices. This is another area that I have expanded upon in my work, particularly in my technology grants for iPods and iPads. In what other career could two such diverse interests be fostered and supported in a way that fits directly into a persons day-to-day work? Very few, I would imagine. 3. Seeing the growth of students There is a fantastic fulfillment in seeing a student you have worked with develop their skills and reach the outcomes you put before him. I have seen students grow and change so many times, and in so many ways, and the feeling of joy for these young people is always the same. It is a special honour given to us teachers to be able to draw knowledge and skills from students that they did not know was there. I am appreciative of this gift every day, and work hard to honour it for the students in my classes. 2. Connecting with professionals For those who love teaching, only one thing is comparable to being in front of a class, and that is sharing what you do with a colleague to improve learning in the classroom. This is why I have been so involved in professional learning activities, and am doing a Masters Degree in Professional Learning, to foster the authentic sharing that can lead professionals to do even greater work for students. It is a wonderful side of my career, as I learn so much from the others I work with. 1. Connection to the future If you want to know what our society is going to look like in 10 years, take a look at a high school class. These are the individuals who will rise to power, move through jobs into management and claim their share of the world around them. There are many futurists who have doom and gloom scenarios for our world, that claim we are too far gone already, and that there is little hope for the way we live in the future. I can look out into the faces of the students in my classes and see that we are not so doomed. There are brilliant minds who will be focused on the right things coming out of school, who will create new solutions to the problems our generations have created. I hope I have helped focus them,
helped to give them the skills to answer the questions of the future with power, innovation and resourcefulness. Only time will tell if I have had the impact on these young people I have hoped to, but the opportunity to do so is the greatest reason I do what I do. Technorati Tags: creativity, high school, learning, reasons, students, teacher, Teaching s we come to the conclusion of Reader Appreciation Month, I want to summarize some of the things that we have learned. Today, Ill focus on some of the reasons my readers have shared with me about why they love their jobs. Here are 50 reasons to love your job as a teacher. 50 reasons to love your job as a teacher Sharing my experiences Helping inexperienced teachers solve problems The ability to help children achieve their best Inspiring them not only academically but personally Getting up on my stage and performing for them, too The thrill of a good and well thought out lesson is incomparable The kids energies; their inquisitiveness makes me want to go and teach them, and push them harder 8. I love the instant feedback I get from my students about my own performance, even when they dont realize theyre doing it 9. Being able to interact with kids who are mostly good and do try to do whats expected of them 10. Sharing my enthusiasm for my subject matter you should hear me talk to them about why I love Mesopotamia, even more than the ever popular Egypt! 11. I also enjoy seeing their growth over the nine months I have them; they come into middle school as scared elementary students and leave at the end of the year, as (mostly) prepared 7th grader 12. I love learning and I love the interaction between professor and students 13. My coworkers are great 14. I enjoy all of the funny stories that my job provides, my job is never ever boring 15. When I am finally able to actually teach, I feel very rewarded when that little light bulb goes off 16. Teaching grad school, my students are amazingly dedicated teachers, I have the opportunity to travel across the United States helping teachers and schools work at the grassroots level to improve students lives 17. Working with the students; each week, I am invited to do demonstration lessons in K12 classrooms I love the range, I love the challenge, and I really love the kids 18. I feel smarter every day that I come home from my job; it almost makes me feel guilty that I get paid for this! 19. Facilitating games 20. Being able to explore diverse issues and situations 21. The challenge of teaching a second language in the 21st century 22. I love getting to know the kids and I especially love having siblings come up and watching the family grow; it is a real privilege to be part of peoples lives like that 23. The rare occasion they come back for a visit, it is a joyful reunion 24. The freedom of the job; I used to be in a cube job where I had to punch a timeclock all the time 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
25. I have control over my job I decide what and when I teach, I decide if I am going to stay late, I can take my work home if needed (Though I dont do that as often as I used to) 26. My bosses listen 27. I like working with teenagers, plus, I learn self assertiveness from teenagers. 28. I get to work with books, which I love 29. I honestly and truly believe that teaching is what I was born to do; maybe God really does plan our lives and if we follow that plan we will be very happy with our lives 30. I seem to be good at it 31. I get to explore stories and try new ideas and encourage others to do the same 32. I love messing with their heads 33. I love how wee the freshmen are and watching them grow into young ladies and gentlemen (in theory) 34. I love the power of controlling lives well, at least for an hour or so a day! 35. I love listening to their ideas and seeing the way their minds work 36. I love the push to keep learning, to keep discovering new questions and to help students discover their own questions 37. I love kids and I love math; how many jobs can combine them? I guess the guy at the carnival who counts the kids getting on the rides, but he has to clean puke, so thats out of the question 38. Honestly, I can, in the space of 55 minutes, (on a good day) get booed for telling a bad joke, discuss planetary motion or the etymology of radish, clearly explain how a new-for-them algebra technique flows from their previous knowledge, give a challenging extension problem and get some enthusiasm going for it (for math!), help kids who just dont get it to actually get it, and still find time for a quick game; I feel like a game show host who doesnt have to fake it 39. I enjoy sharing my love of learning and my passion for certain topics 40. It goes beyond just teaching the material its about making a personal connection with the students 41. I love sharing the excitement of a good book when I introduce it and start talking about it with excitement, the students cant wait for me to start reading; when its time to stop reading and begin our next lesson, they beg me to read just a little more 42. I also like seeing many of the cross-curricular connections students make 43. Watching the students grow year after year 44. Recruiting kids into my program 45. Being creative with the music 46. Transforming students from knowing nothing about how to play an instrument to being able to perform complicated (for them) music by the end of the year 47. Demonstrating the value of long-range planning to achieve crazy cool results 48. Guiding students to success, both individually and through group work, and marketing those successes 49. Its something like a mix of game show host, stand up comedian, dad, vaudeville juggler, and sports play-by-play commentator 50. It has helped me to overcome my fear of public speaking; Ive had students tell me that I should be an actor, preacher, and English teacher (I correct grammar frequently) 51. Wondering why you should become a teacher? Ask a teacher and youll get lots of great reasons! Here are ten reasons to get you started. 52. 1. TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE 53. When just one childs life has been altered positively because of you, youve can feel proud that you have made a difference.
54. 2. TO HAVE THE SUMMER OFF 55. Its one of the perks of being a teacher. Each year is a new experience that can be met after a little rest and relaxation. 56. 3. TO IGNITE THE FIRE 57. Pass your passion on to children and watch their curiosity catch fire. 58. 4. TO FIND SUCCESS 59. Watching students succeed at simple or complex tasks is an experience you can be a part of every day. Every student has the opportunity to succeed, no matter how small the goal. 60. 5. TO BE VIRTUOUS 61. You might get to be the only presence of kindness, patience, or understanding in a students life each the day. 62. 63. Degree Finder 65. 6. TO AFFECT THE FUTURE 66. Influence the next generation by sharing your knowledge. You are the leader of your classroom, and with that power comes responsibility and opportunity to shape minds and ideas. 67. 7. TO BE GLOBAL 68. Help todays youth find beauty and respect for diversity. 69. 8. TO HAVE JOB SECURITY 70. Once you have met the requirements to become a teacher and have proven your success, its steady work. Teachers are in demand! 71. 9. TO BE A GOOD CITIZEN 72. Serve the youth of your community and country by contributing your time and talents. Help students understand their full potential. 73. 10. TO STAY YOUNG 74. Being with students all day helps teachers of any age stay connected to current events and trends. Students are creative and energetic creatures that will keep you on your toes. Youll find something to make you laugh every day.