#realityofteaching

I realized at the beginning of last year, when I was starting my credential program, that people outside of the teaching circle have no idea what you are talking about. The only people I could talk candidly to were my gurls in the program and my guide teachers. No one understood.

So you are thinking how hard is it too understand teaching? Believe me, there is so much I try to explain to people and THEY JUST DON’T GET IT! It was just recently that I realized people do not understand a teacher’s life because there are so many misconceptions and myths about being a teacher.

Myth #1: Teachers have great hours, 8am-3pm.

Yeah, uh...no. My day starts at 5am and if there are no staff meetings after work I can usually get home by 4pm. However, teachers will be flagged down by parents, other teachers/staff, and even students after school. Then at home and “off the clock” there are papers to grade, lessons to plans, or materials to organize.

Myth #2: Teachers get Spring, Summer, and Winter breaks.

Well, yes, but we DON’T GET PAID! Many teachers take on a second part-time job on breaks, full-time jobs during summer, and even part-time jobs in the evening. I remember my high school English Teacher was moonlighting as a bar tender and we all thought it was the coolest thing.

Myth #3: Teachers get a half-day every week.

No. The students get the half-day every week. The teachers get staff meetings or planning time where they are stuck at school until 3pm. Oh yeah, and its nice that school provides lunchtime to the students on these half-days but the teachers then have to patrol the cafeteria and it just takes more time out of our day. When I was kid we did not stay for a lunch on half-days, we just went home. There should be an after-school optional lunch hour for students who’s parents work or usually buy lunch.

Myth #4: Teachers get reimbursed and/or the school provides all the materials.

Not that I know of... Schools will supply basic office supplies. It depends on the school of course. But many do not supply much at all for their teachers. Most teachers purchase all of their materials using their own money, such as posters, rugs, chart boards, decor, and even some furniture. There’s no reimbursement but it is tax deductible. I cannot tell you how many times someone thinks the school will supply something and I look at them and go, “Are you kidding?”

Myth #5: Teachers teach from behind the desk.

My dad seems to believe this one. That teachers are sedentary. Yeah, I guess I got my plantar fasciitis this year by just sitting in the chair... Teachers are always on their feet! Actually, if your just sitting around instead of moving about the classroom, unless your physically unable, I would have question your methods. Teachers need/have to be moving. Have you ever tried just sitting in a chair and monitoring a room full of 6 year old students when learning something new? You cannot.

Myth #6: Teachers are naturally happy and positive people.

Teachers are stretched thin. And with adults, I have very little patience. After monitoring a room full of children, I do not want to deal with adults that act like children or make my students look like total geniuses. And teachers drink... a lot...that’s got to tell you something. I call it “putting on my teacher hat.” Naturally, I am a very sarcastic person. But students do not understand sarcasm and they just think you are being mean. So, in a way I have to portray a non-judgemental, un-biased, and positive personality because when they are in my classroom I need to create that safe zone where everyone is equal and comfortable.

Myth #7: Teachers love all their students equally.

I wish I could say this is true, but the reality is, its just not. Any teacher that says otherwise is flat out lying to you. Teachers have favorites and they also have those (LSHs) Little Shit Head syndrome, as some teachers referred to them when I was student teaching.

Myth #8: Teachers get a lot of help from classroom volunteers.

The days of stay-at-home-moms that get involved in their kid’s school are gone. In these times, both parents work. In fact you are lucky if parents even show up for conferences and back to school night! Back in the day, my elementary school used to require parents to volunteer a certain amount of hours every year, otherwise they would get fined or kicked out. Sometimes there is the token parent that likes to come in once or twice a week and help out for an hour. My personal favorite is the parent that says they are coming and then flakes.

Myth #9: Teachers are married with children.

I cannot tell you how many times parents, students, and staff ask if I am married or if I have kids! Then it seems that all the other teachers are married and have kids and I am the only single teacher. Its weird...I do not like it. Sometimes I feel like my grandma is standing in front of me giving me a judgemental look, while her thought bubble reads, “Why don’t you have kids yet?!?!” And how about the parents that go, “Well, you don’t have kids, you wouldn’t understand.” Right, because the 25 in my classroom everyday do not count for anything.

Myth #10: Teachers write detailed lesson plans and teach their own material.