It is weird to be done with both Gallagher and Christenbury, and now I am nervous about student teaching, and I fear that I'm not going to be a natural at this whole teaching thing. I have always had this idea in my head that most people who come into this profession chose it because a parent or family member is a teacher. You know - "my grandma and mom are both teachers and I have always wanted to follow in their footsteps" type thing. It seems like they are meant to be in the classroom and will be so natural at it. Well, I definitely don't have anyone in my family that was or is in the teaching profession, and as a little girl, I remember saying that I didn't want to be a teacher. All this goes to say that the people who knew that they were going to be teachers all along intimidate me because it seems so natural for them and something that they have wanted for so long. Sometimes I still wonder if I'll succeed in this profession and if I will love it. I was so encouraged when Christenbury quotes Susan Ohanian when she states, "It is possible, I suppose, to have an inborn talent for teaching, but I am sure that those teachers who endure and triumph are made - rigorously trained - and not born" (297). It is good to be reminded that becoming a teacher is a constant learning process and something that you aren't born with. Sometimes it may not come naturally, and that is okay.
I also think that to "love" my job also means having a life separate from it. Burn-out is a scary thought for me, and I think that one of the hardest things to do will be to make sure that I am taking time out for myself and enjoying my life, apart and away from my job. I like that Christenbury says that you should buy season tickets or schedule social times so that you make yourself get out once in a while. I think it can be so easy to just stay home and claim "I'm tired." If we fail to make ourselves "get out" once in a while or spend time on ourselves, eventually we may find that we are unhappy, and ultimately our jobs will become less than enjoyable.
3 comments:
I totally agree with your feelings about not having that role model to follow. It's weird being confronted with people, like Michael (I'm guessing), that seem like they have always wanted to be teachers.
I still, to this day and minute, have considered going to law school instead. I mean, the in-class practicum was nice, but I haven't felt that "I'm going to love it" feeling. I really liked the lesson, but I don't know if I will day after day.
I liked your comment about teachers having a life aside from the school. It seems like some teachers, even at the University level, have no outside distractions and it shows in the class. I think we need the counter-balance to ensure we do not focus entirely on our classes, devoting every waking minute to them, and driving our students to hating education and us.
Moderation is the key ingredient in many things.
~Stan
I know that I was not born to be a teacher. I guess I wanted to make a difference some how. I'm not really sure I'll ever be a very good teacher. One of my friends who has taught for 5 years now gave pretty good advice. He told me that the building relationships with the students and connecting with them is more important than teaching a curriculum (terrible speller). Once we have spent time building relationships with students everything else falls into place.
Any lack of confidence will simply make you more self aware, encourage you to over-prepare, and, really, probably make you a better teacher.
No worries.
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