I was struck by comment in Thomas Newkirk’s book, Holding on to Good Ideas in a Time of Bad Ones, that made me pause.
We can similarly project our teacher fantasies
of self-importnace and sacrifice and fail to
decenter; consequently, we ignore, reject, fail
to acknowledge the natural resistances and divided
loyalties to students, the inescapable fact that,
except in unusual cases, we are not as central in
their lives as they are in ours (Newkirk, 2007, pp. 160).
Wow. That has a lot of power because being a teacher is such an important job with so many things to accomplish outside of the regular school hours. Is it really necessary to do everything? Students know a good teacher by their methods and sincerity—not by the quickness of papers handed back or elaborate bulletin boards. I’m not proposing we stop doing these things, but that we re-evaluate the time we spend working to help our students actually learn and grow. Being a burned out teacher after five years will not benefit future students.
I am learning to pace myself and create separation from work and home life (I didn’t have much of a home life previously). A recharged teacher is better able to nurture students and lead them towards new experiences and opportunities. Even teachers deserve the weekend off!
- Erika
- Iowa, United States
- I am a graduate student at the University of Iowa, studying to become a Reading Specialist. I love to read and write and want to help students in the public elementary schools near home discover their abilities.
It is amazing to hear that half of all teachers leave the profession in the first few years, and I don't want to be part of that statistic. Our students can tell when we care, and they can tell when we're stressed. I think the most important thing to remember is to stay student focused, not project focused.
ReplyDeleteI also really like that quotation. It's so critical to be in-tune to the needs of our students instead of plowing through curriculum that may be completely ineffective for them. Like you said, students recognize sincerity. However, it seems so difficult to find that balance between our professional and personal identities. Although I've never taught full time, I can easily see how teaching can consume our lives. Good luck with finding your balance!
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