My daughter Melanie graduated from PAC last spring and is now attending Iowa State University. I'm not going to lie; the transition has been rough on her and on us at home (I feel that is another day's blog topic). She entered ISU as a student majoring in Event Management. You know, those people who plan events like conventions, and weddings, and other things. But throughout her first semester of college, she started second guessing that major and has begun thinking more and more about entering the field of education.
I'm frankly not surprised with her change of heart. After learning that Event Planners have to work weekends, and evenings, and holidays, that didn't seem as appealing to her. And, I'm not even surprised that she is thinking about changing to education
But in her quest of trying to decide what she wants to do, we have had many discussions about teaching. And it has made me revisit my decision to become a teacher.
I started off as a journalism major. In fact, I have a degree from ISU in broadcast journalism with a minor in political science. But after I graduated, I decided I didn't want to be a journalist. So, I went back for two more years and became an English teacher. I was better in math in high school, but had many speech and journalism credits, and well, English was a better fit. And that was a good decision.
Now, 27 years later, I am still a high school English teacher. Sometimes it seems that it becomes routine, but with my daughter asking so many questions I have realized something: I enjoy teaching and it is a good career.
So why? Well, the old joke is "June, July and August." And yes, the work schedule works well for anyone who wants to spend time with their family. But it's way more than that. Teaching is about changing the lives of young people.
My job description says I teach HS English. Reading, writing, speaking, and listening. But I would hope that I do more than that. I hope that I interact with students in a way that makes them see their full potential and that they can go out into the world and be successful...whatever their definition of success is.
The best part of teaching: Being able to see students grow and mature while in school and then on Facebook see their happy, successful lives play out.
The worst part of teaching: Not being able to reach all the kids. Seeing students who have given up on education and attend school, but are not present.
So, as Melanie continues to decide if teaching is right for her, I will continue to revisit why I'm a teacher. And I will try to re-dedicate myself to helping students become their best...which is why I became a teacher in the first place.
I'm frankly not surprised with her change of heart. After learning that Event Planners have to work weekends, and evenings, and holidays, that didn't seem as appealing to her. And, I'm not even surprised that she is thinking about changing to education
But in her quest of trying to decide what she wants to do, we have had many discussions about teaching. And it has made me revisit my decision to become a teacher.
I started off as a journalism major. In fact, I have a degree from ISU in broadcast journalism with a minor in political science. But after I graduated, I decided I didn't want to be a journalist. So, I went back for two more years and became an English teacher. I was better in math in high school, but had many speech and journalism credits, and well, English was a better fit. And that was a good decision.
Now, 27 years later, I am still a high school English teacher. Sometimes it seems that it becomes routine, but with my daughter asking so many questions I have realized something: I enjoy teaching and it is a good career.
So why? Well, the old joke is "June, July and August." And yes, the work schedule works well for anyone who wants to spend time with their family. But it's way more than that. Teaching is about changing the lives of young people.
My job description says I teach HS English. Reading, writing, speaking, and listening. But I would hope that I do more than that. I hope that I interact with students in a way that makes them see their full potential and that they can go out into the world and be successful...whatever their definition of success is.
The best part of teaching: Being able to see students grow and mature while in school and then on Facebook see their happy, successful lives play out.
The worst part of teaching: Not being able to reach all the kids. Seeing students who have given up on education and attend school, but are not present.
So, as Melanie continues to decide if teaching is right for her, I will continue to revisit why I'm a teacher. And I will try to re-dedicate myself to helping students become their best...which is why I became a teacher in the first place.