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SpeakFree Series
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Step foot in classroom first
Who is anybody to say what jobs are hard and what aren't? It isn't my business to sit and judge someone about what they do for a living. Everyone has different capabilities and what one person may find difficult to do, someone else may find it a breeze. I don't think writing is all that hard to do but if someone can make a living at it, go for it. If it stresses you out then I'm sure there are good reasons for it and people would be understanding enough to hear why you are stressed from it. But until you have stepped foot IN FRONT of a classroom and taught a lesson I don't think you have any room to speak.
-Megan. Hamilton, Ontario
Maintaining control is key
I am a teacher and I think sometimes the job can be stressful but not so much that I would have to take a year off. If I weren't able to handle what comes along with being a teacher I don't think I would do the job anymore. If you get too caught up in your career that it physically affects you like that, I'm not sure it's worth it. I can see the point of view from teachers who may have lots on their plate, including disruptive students or complex lessons to teach, but for the most part you go with the flow and don't become so worked up about little things. At the end of the day I realize that there are those students who are just trying to get under your skin and get you upset and their goal is to see that. Eventually, and I've learned from experience, if you maintain control of the classroom, it shouldn't be too stressful at all.
-Maxine. Lloydminster, Alberta
It's easy to be ignorant
It's very easy to be ignorant about another person's line of work but until you actually fill those shoes you can never know if the job is hard or not. Many professions are taken for granted and people don't understand all that goes into the work. The only way to not be ignorant about other jobs is to ask questions and learn more about what the position actually entails. It is then you can form an educated opinion about that job but not before you've even given it a try yourself.
-Francis. Tampa, Florida
Being a parent but with more kids
The stress comes in when you have are room of 30 or so kids and half are talking and not paying attention to what's going on. Then you have another half that are actually trying to work and need your help. Then you add in interruptions with the intercom and visitors to the door and pretty soon you've got a blood pressure going through the roof. What is the fun in that? For the people who [wrote in to SpeakFree] and said that teachers know what we're getting into, yes, we know we're going to be teaching a group of kids. But we never know how rowdy they can be or disruptive. That's something you never know because some days can be good and some days can be bad. Think of it as being a parent with two kids. You know how tough it can be if they are uncooperative. Multiply that by 15 and there's your room of 30 kids and you try dealing with it now.
-Tom. Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
If you aren't the boss, good luck
I totally agree with [the "To the Point" column] that if a teacher can't handle everything that is thrown at him or her then maybe it is time for a bit more training on how to deal with situations that arise in the classroom. If that doesn't work then maybe the glorious career of being a teacher isn't suitable for you. I'm not saying that the job is easy but you also have to maintain a certain working relationship with students just like you would at your own job. It would be like getting a new boss and it takes a while to get comfortable with them. For students, I am the boss. If I don't enforce the rules or create an environment that is comfortable for every person then it's my fault. It would have nothing to do with blaming kids or other people. Maybe a new teaching style or new rules for the classroom would help the situation. The whole issue certainly falls back on you as a teacher and how well you run your classroom.
-Iona. Kelowna, British Columbia
Teacher understands the stress
Everyone has an image of what a teacher is. What people don't usually envision is the threats, the violence, the disrespect and then feeling of lack of control when it comes to running a classroom. Most people think that just because a teacher says, "Be quiet" that the students immediately stop talking and listen. Not a chance! So you try saying "Be quiet, be quiet, be quiet" with sometimes no response at all from the students. At first, no, it isn't all that stressful, but after a while you get the feeling that you're a bad teacher because students don't do what they're told. That leads to the stress that teachers feel they need a year off. It's understandable to me, and I'm sure to most teachers, but probably not to the general public.
-Catherine. Chicago, Illinois
Vacations are long enough
Most people think the holiday time for teachers is great and everyone would want that but let me tell you it gets pretty boring. If you are married and your spouse doesn't get the same holidays as you, it can be a pretty lonely time. If you have no kids or pets then it gets even worse. You can only go for so many walks or visit a mall or do things on your own for so long. You feel useless by the end of it all and the last half of the vacation you're wanting to get back into school. There are many people who are attacking teachers and saying it's not a full eight-hour day or that there is so much vacation time, but I truly don't think that's why people get into teaching. We don't make up the work hours or have a say in how long the school day is. I have a feeling if teachers did set those dates the vacation periods wouldn't be as long as they are.
-Alison. Lincoln, Nebraska
EXCERPT: CAN'T HANDLE THE STRESS? STAY OUT OF THE CLASSROOM
"The argument is made that a teacher’s work doesn’t end when classes do for students. It’s suggested that there are tireless hours spent marking assignments, preparing lessons for upcoming classes and supervising other school activities.
Students have to face the pressures of keeping up with assignments for multiple classes, studying for exams and remembering deadlines and details about projects throughout the same period of time as teachers do."
"Can't take the stress? Stay out of the classroom"
Staff able to take year off with pay to "de-stress"
Screaching Teachers
June 2006
It's not too late! Have your say:
Send an e-mail to feedback@speakfreewithjb.com
Check out what students had to say in PART 1.
