To Teach or not to Teach?

[mrsemmapeel]

Hi everyone, especially teachers As I'm now in the last year of my degree, I have to look forward and decide what I want to do from here. I'm thinking about doing my PGCE and becoming a Chemistry teacher, I've had a little bit of experience at a high school this year and really enjoyed it, but I was only there for 3 wks.

So what I really want to know is what are the best and the worst experiences that you've had while teaching???

 

Cheers:-)

[Pangloss]

The best is any time a student tells me it was the best class they've ever taken.

 

The worst was last week: Failing a student and knowing that it caused them to hit the maximum allowable financial aid overrun under federal rules. Meaning they would not be allowed to take any further classes, would have to repay 150% of the normal debt, and have no degree to show for it. And it was the last class they needed to graduate.

 

And you know, I could talk all day about irate students who complain to me or my dean, but what really haunts me is the idea of screwing something up, like some piece of misplaced paperwork, or missing a signal that a shy student needs help. It's bad enough when I have to fail them for legitimate reasons -- the idea of messing up someone's whole life because of a careless mistake -- that's scary stuff.

[mrsemmapeel]

Thanks Pangloss, its good to get an insight into the experiences of others and you seem to enjoy teaching. I'm still undecided, I don't know why, maybe it's just self doubt:doh:

[DrP]

I was a supply teacher for about a year in secondary schools. I had mixed experiences to the extreame. It can be VERY rewarding at times and sometimes I'd come home on a high. On the flip side it could be rather stressful and depressing as well. (one school I was at was in the bottem 5 in the country for behavour problems - some lessons that went well were very enjoyable - some lessons were purely crowd controll) My personal experience was a very emotional roller coaster.

 

I left to take a job in industry - when I'm feeling down or pissed off at my job, I just think " hmmm I could be standing in front of 30 teenagers who don't want to listen to me instead"... and that always cheers me up.

 

One thing I found was that after work I had to talk to someone about my day to get alot of things off my chest, you know, to get some adult vindication for some of my descisions etc.. Other teachers are good for this - or just going down the pub.

 

 

Whatever you decide - good luck and best wishes.

[mrsemmapeel]

Cheers for your comments DrP and I have to admit that some of my concerns are about behaviour and how to cope in the long term. On the plus side if I could inspire some kids to be more interested in science I know that would make me happy:D

 

Anyway I've got a while to go yet and my main concern right now is starting an essay on the Wnt signalling pathway that is due in tomorrow Oh no I've gone and left it til the last minute again

[Dudde]

Last minute essays are where the inspirations come from!

 

btw, I can't say I've ever been a professional teacher, but I've been teaching singles and groups of people my entire life - it really never gets old when you take something that is complete alien technology to someone, and then watch their face as they finally catch on!

 

The ones willing to learn anyway, you'll always get those who don't want to listen or disbelieve everything you say, but I like them because they end up learning more!

[mrsemmapeel]

Thanks Dudde:) You're right about the essay btw, I do tend to work better under pressure, although it doesn't do much for my stress levels!

[Severian]

My biggest insight (not really a best or worst thing) about teaching came when they sent me on a training course, to teach me how to teach. The insight didn't come from the course directly, but from the realization that I really didn't want to be there. I didn't engage; I didn't pay attention; I didn't do any of the homework exercises and I just generally resented the teacher, everyone around me and just generally being there. I was a total grump.

 

Then it suddenly hit me. This is how a large proportion of my students feel. They don't really want to be there, so they don't engage with my teaching at all. I had never realized this because when I was at school, I did want to be there, so I engaged, paid attention and got a lot out of it. It took this course to make me realize what it felt like to not be a model student.

[jimmydasaint]

I think you have to make your own choice. Teaching is a spiritual activity. Done correctly, it can touch the very soul of another human being and is therefore very rewarding. However, in the wrong school, you will face 30 students who prefer socialising instead of listening to you and you have to find strategies to engage them.

 

If you do choose to teach, please go to a good school (65% or above A*-C) and then ease yourself into the profession that way. You also have to remember to take nothing personally and go home unstressed at the end of the day. Do not mind if the 5 hours of preparation for a lesson have gone unheeded. You can catch up another day. Good luck, whatever decision you make.

[mrsemmapeel]

Thanks Jimmy that's a nice positive look at it:-)