Instead of “collaboration” meetings, a co-worker and I have regular “cold-libation” meetings each Friday. Today (Wednesday) just happened to become a Friday. We’ve seen troublesome behaviors increase, and we’ve seen larger numbers of students checking out. By checking out, I mean a large number of students have refused to take their final exams. Those students who do take the final exams generally fail. A majority of students fail the classes as well.
During our cold-libation meeting, we discussed why students check out to such a degree:
- Our district encourages failure:
- No attendance policy.
- No requirement for middle-school graduation (any student, as long as he/she shows up to school, may pass on to high school).
- We’re required to give a final which encompasses the entirety of the class. The students can pass or fail, but ultimately it does not matter whether the students pass or fail.
- The only thing that matters is the state test.
- And the state test only matters for teachers — If a student fails the state test, he/she may move on. Teachers? That’s a different story.
- most students see and understand these faults and therefore refuse to take a teacher’s test.
My co-worker was frustrated over this today and asked me: “Why do we do this? Why do we choose this profession when we have abilities which would make us more money in other fields?”
After a discussion, we came to the conclusion that we’re here for the greater good. We can’t accept that anyone else would place himself/herself in such a position — that a desire for money equals self-promotion.
We’re not here for self-promotion, and we’re not here to include ourselves in the focus of our work. We’re not here to chastise or placate, and we’re not here to fill any vacancy. We are here to contribute to the greater good. We do necessary work.
Any teacher could go on and on about the need for and utilty of teachers, but I’ll leave it up to you…
Why do you teach?
Filed under: Reflection, Teaching
Dream the impossible dream…
http://www.mguhlin.net/blog/archives/2006/05/entry_1551.htm
Take care!
Why do I teach? Partly because my brain is hard-wired for langauge and explaining, and I’m not competent in anything else that can make a living. Partly becaause it can be so much fun. Partly because I can make the world (and some very specific people in it) better.
Why do I (want to) teach? I think because I love learning and discovering new things, and I want to help my students understand the joy and satisfaction that comes out of being able to read and write and think and talk and listen and ask questions and find out the answers to their questions.
Omg…I can’t even go there right now. I am so frustrated with my students right now, that I’m having a hard time remembering. Ask me again in August.
I have felt your pain. Then I moved up to high school, where there is at least SOME student accountability….
I teach because I love that “eureka” moment students get when they discover some knowledge that I’ve led them toward. The moment when they connect the dots in a complicated web of cause and effect. The moment when they realize they understand the material.
I want to teach because I love children. They are the future and it’s up to teachers to teach them so they can be productive citizens. As teachers we have the opportunity to change someones life which is the true reason I teach.
I share in the idea of Mr. Thomas. thus really the true essence of educating and teaching kids. God bless u
And these are all the reasons I teach. I want to help, I want to give a chance for kids to find a way tomake sense of something, I want to help the kids learn how to think critically about whatever they encounter, I want them to learn and write and speak and provide reasons for their beliefs. I want to help kids learn to become providing, understanding, responsible, willing, helping, encouraging, capable, wondering and, wonderful adults.
I want every single student of mine to become a teacher in some way.
[...] ————————————- This is in part a response to graycie’s post on: What is the Purpose of Pubilc Education? as well as a response to my own post: Why do You Teach? [...]
Why teach at all? I think education should only be for the “players” or the elite. The rest of the population must be kept simple and uneducated so that they can serve us. In my opionion, the idea of education the majority should be eliminated. First of all, it is just a waste of time. Save your breath and energy. Second of all, why create competition? Think about it.
Not trying to espouse competition between teachers, James; just curious about why others teach.
I’d like to think no teacher wants to create “simple” people from his/her students. There’s no reason to keep people simple unless we’re saying that a society must allow for its citizens to fall into jobs. I know such a thing happens and will continue to happen, but I’d like to think that a little cajoling from an outside source (a teacher) might push a person to shoot for something he/she wishes to do — instead of “settling” for a lower-level position; these students might “reach” for something they actually desire.
But who makes up this group to “serve us?” Not quite sure what you mean by that. (And who is the “us,” for that matter?)
At the risk of sounding like an asshole, I’d like to thank you for telling me to “save my breath and energy.” That’s a welcome sentiment, because it asks me to stop doing the job I actually want to do. Your words are a breath of fresh air.
its because i recieved something so speacial when i was in school, teachers that actually cared, teachers that actually wanted you to do well and become something. These days i think teachers are teachers because of the money and holidays.
The money and the fame, man. How can you beat it?
james kripson your comments are a little far fetched you kind of make yourself sound like a total pr**k. you shouldnt be allowd to teach.
James,
Tell me what’s far-fetched, and tell me what makes me sound like a prick. I welcome criticism.
And honestly, I’d like to know what I’m doing that makes me unfit to teach.
It’s been about four months since your first comment here, you still haven’t (explicitly) answered some of the questions I asked before.
Why do I teach? I teach because I think there is no greater calling. I cannot see a profession in which I can make a better contribution to society. The satisfaction I get when a student’s eyes light up is more valuable than any physical reward someone can receive. The idea of teaching next generation’s president, scientist, or Nobel Peace Prize winner is what keeps me going. Also, the thought of a student someday coming back and telling me what a great positive impact I was on their lives is a big bonus. So the real question should be, “Why wouldn’t I teach.”
I would like to teach becuase i think education is the most important function performed in our culture, or for that matter, in any culture. Teachers can not only change the world but they can improve it as well. I want to be a part of this nobel profession and someday counted in those whom future preservice teachers found inspiration.
why do i teach ?well, first of all ,i teach because i d like to produce something fruitful for people and society asa whole .second ,it is a source of income that secures my living ,and above all ,i teach a foreign language that is very useful and has practical impact on my student .so iam looking forward to developing my teaching techniquesand strategies in order to keep up with the latest innovations in the domain of teaching.
what is more?teaching is an art .whenever i am in the classroom ,i consider myself an actor in an unacknowledged theatre .i perform my educational plays before my students .we share and care ,i make use of all what i know and i feel to satisfy their needs and wants .i play all the roles you can think about .we formulate the whole world in a classrom .i just like to impress my studens and create change in them for the best of course .
Wow! All this new attention to such an old post. I admire all of you for your dedication to this profession — it ain’t easy, and I think that’s clear in the fact that so many of us have mentioned something about the future. I thiink we all realize we’re in it for the long haul — not for the present.
Today, I am not sure. Teaching 8th grade after Christmas break is like trying to put a baby octopus into a condom. Normally, I teach to pass on the enthusiasm I have for creating, hypothesizing, and wondering. Right this minute, I teach because I need the benefits and want to take my kids to Disney World. Like nani, ask me again in August.
22. Morris-02.27.07
I teach because it allows me to become a vioce of learning to my students. When you ask who is their favorite they will say me, it’s because I give them great respect and I allow them to be theirself. We make mistakes together and we correct them together. I often think that our teachers has lost the true meaning of teaching. I stand with games, I teach with paper balls, I toss them around the room and tell the students to give me answer, if they get it wrong it’s ok, but by the time I get back around to that student he/she knows the answer. In today’s society our child have to much pressure placed on them . I believe that you can teach by adapting to what you have and make it fun to learn and you will have a great number in child that will succeed.
22. Morris-02.27.07
I teach because it allows me to become a vioce of learning to my students. When you ask who is their favorite they will say me, it’s because I give them great respect and I allow them to be theirself. We make mistakes together and we correct them together. I often think that our teachers has lost the true meaning of teaching. I teach with games, I teach with paper balls, I toss them around the room and tell the students to give me answer, if they get it wrong it’s ok, but by the time I get back around to that student he/she knows the answer. In today’s society our child have to much pressure placed on them . I believe that you can teach by adapting to what you have and make it fun to learn and you will have a great number in child that will succeed.
I gain self actualization from teaching.
It keeps me thinking young when I work with kids.
I also do it from a sense of community service, similar to why I served in the armed forces.
I believe that student learning makes better citizens, and this is a prime concern for a democracy.
Then again, I’m switching to administration at the end of this year. Eighteen years in the classroom, but I think it will still be largely an instructional role.
I look forward to it.
Why do I teach?
At high school graduation a few years ago, the valedictorian read a list of teachers who had a made a difference for the students of that graduating class, and gave the reason why that teacher had made the list. He read my name and said “she empowered us.”
A simple statement that pretty much says it all, it says I was succeeding in what I wanted to do as a teacher, and what I want to continue to do.
That is why I teach.
You teach because, in your lifetime, if you touch one child’s life, you are blessed. You teach because you love children and how they think. You teach for the possibility of making a difference in one child’s life. You teach because if you stopped, you would be lost.
If you are teaching because you want to pay for a vacation, stop teaching. If you teach because of summers off, stop teaching. If you teach because of the benefits, stop teaching. You will never be happy in your job as teacher. You will continue to come to school each day, and yes, you will do your job – but you will accomplish nothing. Do the kids and yourself a favor and get a different job.
I’m trying to get certified. All your comments are so inspiring. For me, I want to teach, but can’t articulate what is drawing me into the field. Like many of you – it’s a calling. It’s this deep need to fulfill lives, to help mold our youth into thriving young men and women. My biggest fear is not being effective. I know there are some students you can’t get through to. It’s an intimidating field to walk into – but I’m preparing myself the best I can. Wish me luck!!
I read with great interest all of the posted comments. After teaching a number of years at both middle and high school, I found James’ comments to be most revealing. Not that I agree we should foster the “class” method of education, but I understand his frustrations. We all teach for various reasons, but are we really teaching? Or, are we following the prescribed notion of teaching. I spent 20+ years outside of education before becoming a teacher and I agree with James in the sense that the educational constraints on teachers limits our abilities to involve every child and make them successful. We are forced by outside intervention to focus on only those with “means.” This, will be the downfall of the public education system as we know it. Many of us still hold out hope and shine a light for the future, but until we can exact change in the outside intervention (i.e. government, lacky school administrators, and noninvolved parents) we face a grueling uphill battle that for all intents and purposes favors the few and discards the many. I fought this battle for the “many” and paid the price with my job. I can only advise that everyone tread lightly your cause lest ye be outcast. I applaud James for speaking his mind.
The replies are as excellent as the original post! What a great question!
I teach for social justice. I teach for a future that I can believe in. I teach for the kids, because every child deserves love and respect and an education.
Thank you for the reminder :)
I am not a teacher yet but some teacher say it is very easy to teach so never ever interupt a teacher and always raise your hand.
My god, what’s wrong with that school? I see why Mary in your latest post is the way she is. I feel for you; it must be so frustrating.
Teaching keeps me healthy, wealthy, and wise!!!
I’m a freshman in College and I recently was asked to write a paper answering the question “why do I want to teach”. I enjoyed reading your input. I really enjoy working with children and have been involved in many different activities such as sports. Thank you all for good insight
I teach because I want to leave a mark on the life of a child. I want to be a role-model for the child because so many do not have parents who support and encourage them on a daily basis. I strive to be an inspirational, enthusiastic teacher because I strongly believe these traits frame the heart of an educator.
This is God’s calling for my life. Thank you for your inspiration.
Teaching is not for every body. One of the things that I have learned is that the truly great teachers did not become that way because of what they learned in some college class or inservice. It was their destiny. Well, what i mean to say is that it is part of their personality. Think about it. Not everyone can be a great athlete. I mean really great like ALi or Jordan. Yes, training can make us all better and we should all strive to be better, but some of us can train for the rest of our lives until we are blue in the face but will never slam dunk a basket ball. Great teachers are one in a million.
Well done all, such a greate answers!
Very Interesting comments. Thanks for sharing
I went to a dinner. Three of us wanted to get out of teaching. Three other people there wanted to leave their fields for teaching. Sometimes we all need some kind of change to help. I was all set to leave teaching – 10 years ago had $9,000 saved up at the beginning of summer, it was my chance – went to a career service and completed some evaluative materials and concluded that I still wanted to teach – just somewhere else.
I’m filling out a teacher bio right now, and one of the questions they asked was “Why Do You Teach?”. Looking for some inspiration – and a way to solidify feelings into words – I googled the question and came across your answers.
Teaching isn’t something I chose; it chose me. It’s not a job; it’s a calling. If I’ve been given the ability to inspire and guide the next generation, I feel a responsibility to do so.
Teaching is a combination of skill and a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. One of my teaching-teachers told me that the first year of teaching will be hell. Looking back, I can honestly say it was, but to quote Fiddler on the Roof – “She’s so happy, she doesn’t realize how miserable she is!”
The rewards of teaching are immeasurable. To stand within the walls of a classroom – it’s changing the world. I don’t look at my students only as who they are now, but as who they will be, and everyone they will touch and affect throughout their lives. I don’t want to just be a teacher to my students – I want to be the best teacher they’ve ever had. The one who inspired them, encouraged them, believed in them.
Some nights I sleep content. Some nights I can’t sleep because of problems and issues in the classroom that I haven’t dealt with properly. Some days I feel on top of the world. Some days I feel like the bottom of the pile. Yet when I look at other proffessionals, with high-paying jobs, benefits, who summer in the Hamptons and winter in Aspen – I’ll take my “hell” to their “heaven” any day, because when my time in this world is up I’ll know that I did my part to make it a better place.
I think the most important thing a teacher can do is to always keep learning. New techniques, new ideas, new approaches. We have to be everything we want our students to be, and that’s hopefully a pretty high standard.
Last week I was thinking about the phrase ” I ____, therefore I am,” and there was only one thing I could fathom filling that place for me. I teach, therefore I am.
Sometimes I worry that I’ll lose my excitement and energy for teaching as I get older. It’s only my fourth year. Some days I can’t find the excitement or energy inside myself. Things get rough. If I’ve accomplished nothing else, though, but to make a difference in the lives of these children – that’s good enough for me.
I’m hoping to embark upon a teacher training course next September, and am currently trying to fill in that necessary evil that is an application form.
Faced with the question ‘Why do you want to teach’ I’d come almost to a standstill. Not wanting to write the usual cliches (I love kids, they’re the future, I enjoy the EUREKA moment etc) I searched the question on Google and found this page. I didn’t want to write the cliches because even though they apply to me, I couldn’t find anything unique or imaginative to say from inside my own head.
Thank you, everyone who answered the question, and most of all to the person who posted it in the first place. You have between you given me some real food for thought and many directions to write along… hopefully I’ll be accepted on the course now!
Thanks again,
Avalon
hey all! the comments made above are all really gud. i have gt a pgce interview 2mrw so this has helped me alot. although i had the ideas myself bt did not no hw 2 put them across.
wish me luck !
The statement that teachers work for the “greater good” is flat out false. Actually, teachers are the biggest self-promoters of all, they are worse than politicians (because, at least, politicians admit it whereas teachers don’t). As a teacher, I should know. Teachers impose their views on students all the time and so do the schools and school boards. Just because teachers don’t get a big salary, it doesn’t mean they are not self-promoters. They are, it’s just that they do not get rewarded with dollars like the majority of people. They pay lip service to the “greater good” or “the best interest of the students” but in the end, everything a teacher does is for her own good and her own interests. To see what I mean, visit http://www.thelearningbox.info.
Thanks for all your comments, they have helped a lot! I have an interview this week for GTP course. I was finding things hard to put into words for my presentation.
I teach because I like to talk to parents!
I teach because of the energy felt when interacting in such a powerful endeavor. We are exchanging ideas, possibilities and simply put; moments. Moments that can change lives depending on our reaction or acitons. There is a lot of potential influence put on us, as teachers, and I do see that as a privilage to be given such a gift. I only hope that other teachers see the potential as a gift and not as power and control.
Teaching is a vocation, your not interested in the money or the holidays. For me the reason for teaching is simple, every child deserves the right to be able to achieve to their highest potentual and my job is to fuel that. If you are passionate about your subject, the children will get passionate too, from passion comes experimentation, leading to critical anaylses leading to knowledge. without following the natural steps the child will know the topic but not understand how they come to the answer, Passion is the answer not only for your choosen subject but for education.
Government, lacky administrators and noninvolved parents…no mention of unprepared, uninterested teachers as ALL of these entities make up the Learning Community and are responsible for putting the “PLAN” together to make sure children are effectively educated. Regardless of what anyone else does, the teachers and the administrators still have a “moral” responsibility to make certain that children receive the best you have to give as you prepare them for the world. The theme should be “NO EXCUSES” as you work to make it happen. If something isn’t right, we have an obligation to proceed in the RIGHT direction until apprehended!!!!!
I agree with everything that was said but disagree with everyone who said it.
Thanks for sharing it was very helpful.
Ok. I am not a teacher, but I am a parent. I think some of you need to return to spelling class before even attempting to teach children! How awful it is for me to read this and discover that the people teaching our children are not setting a better example in spelling and grammar than what is shown in the posts I have read above!!
I agree with Len. I am an English teacher and will not show this to my students because of the poor example set here by teachers. I happpen to disagree with those who say they don’t care about the pay or the holidays. I made a career change after 20 years in business and I happen to like the hours and the summers off, and no, I would not do this for free. I enjoy my work and am good at what I do. That is why I teach.
And even I forgot to run spellcheck and let a typo pass.
LoL at ‘Pam’!
Teaching is for old people ;)
I teach because I get the money. I can pay bills, buy food, clothing and keep myself sheltered. Plus I get satisfaction of doing something worthwhile for the entire world by being a part of educating the future generation. When I do all of these I feel I am woth living as I do the best work.
I teach because: what if I don’t? I teache because somtime in the morning when the night has been to long and I cont imagine another day “I want…” and “I should…” just don’t cut it and the only thing left is “What if I don’t?” I get up and face the day because I may be the one thing keeping them going and I’ll be damned if I give up and let them down. I’ll be damned if by my action they stand in a room with someone who doesn’t care if they succeed or fail because with every one who learned they don’t count there is one more life broken and it really is a matter of life or death because when a spirit is crushed or a mind bored into oblivion there is a voice lost from this world and we need everyone singing, or the music will never be right.
If you need a lift check out Taylor Mali’s “What Teachers Make” when I’m ready to quit it reminds me …Why I teach.
Maybe the real question is not…”Why Do I teach”
Maybe the real question is ….”Why do the students need to learn?”
thanks for replying to question because it helps me alot as i,m going to write an entry test tomorrow at ongwediva college of education
Interesting to hear these views, and even more interesting to observe the way the negatively critical comments are imposing their own frustrations and discontents onto a generic category of ‘teachers’. Seems to me that everyone has their own reason for teaching, and that it is difficult to succintly explain why one does teach.
For my part, I teach because I liked being engaged with ideas. I have chosen the path of a teacher rather than an academic because it brings you into contact with a wider range of ideas, which results in ongoing learning. I also enjoy working with young people. Granted it isn’t always easy, but that discomfort is characteristic of the learning process, both for the teacher and the student.
To Len and Pam,
I worked in the advertising and graphic design industry for 10 years then I turned my hand to teaching, to reply to your very naive comment regarding spelling and teaching. I have two words for you, Albert Einstein
If your mind boggles – he was dyslexic.
Hi! I´m Argentinian and today I´m going to sit for an entrance exam to be a teacher of English in my country.
Nowadays I work in a kindergarten and I teach English at home to students to whom the subject at school is difficult for them to understand. I also prepare children to sit for national exams about English knowledge.
I really enjoy doing it because I like dealing with children and I think that you can learn a lot from them. I´m good at explaining things and I always keep my cool. There are times when it´s necessary to be able to resist successfully some daily situations, and you have to be able to use humor as part of teaching methods. It´s a powerful addition to any lesson.
One of the main reasons people often want to become teachers is simply because of the three months they get off for the summertime when kids get out of school.You have to consider that teachers do not get paid very well and that the carreer is incredibly demanding. As a teacher, your day doesn’t necessarily end when the school bell rings. If you’re conscientious, you will be involved in after school meetings, committees, assisting students, correcting homework and calling parents. All these demand some sacrifice of your personal time.
But on the positive side if you do a good job, you can really make an impact on a child’s life and on your community. The point is to find something you love and something that you are comfortable doing for the rest of your life. Teachers have huge responsabilities, especially those that work with children with handicaps (which is another thing you can look into).
Good Luck =)
Hi Carla. very good points you have there. Interestingly, I have read this very same concept from another site on tips on teaching: http://www.adprima.com/tipson.htm
I’m not so sure if your future students would be proud if they find out their teacher copying ideas per word off another persons work. Good luck on your entrance exam!
Plagiarism, NICE!
i realy thank you guys for the points you have made because it gave me a great picture on the question i was given at school as an assigment about why do i want to become a teacher
Im applying for teaching…i hope its my destiny too!!!
why do i teach
am in teaching because,’ i know just what i want to say’, i haven’t considered teaching like this before. where do i start? most of all the future (meaning the child of today because i was one in that time) motivates me to teach and the opportunities and constraints under which i learn or learned and other learn. there more but because i have to lesson plan for tomorrow classes. thanks i will get to you for more
why do i teach
am in teaching because,’ i know just what i want to say’, i haven’t considered teaching like this before. where do i start? most of all the future (meaning the child of today because i was one in that time) motivates me to teach and the opportunities and constraints under which i learn or learned and other learn. there is more but because i have to lesson plan for tomorrow classes. thanks i will get to you for more
Please,i first of all thank God for giving you the knowledge to express views on the question. Currently, I’ve applied to enter a teacher college in Ghana- Accra. The answers have motivated me a lot. I promise to do my best when i become a full train teacher. Recently, i teach a private school in the city(Accra).,where I’m described as one of the best teachers in the school due to the way I always deliver.
Thanks.
I’ve come on here for ideas as I am about to apply for a PGCE. It’s nice to see that some of you are attempting a really articulate response to the question: why teach. When trying to answer this question, I am just generating poetic one liners..I can’t put any of it into full prose without it sounding phoney! I am so in it because I love ideas and being able to explain things which in turn help to improve peoples lives. I also love learning and the relationship between reading, thinking and doing. I am drama graduate so I love the analogy of the teacher as actor on his/her mini stage. Thank you for your ideas.
I agree with James at the beginning of this post (almost 3 years ago). Education should not be a requirement. It should be a privelidge. If a student fails from lack of effort, then he or she should be sent packing. This would require a lot less money, and the real students would benefit from the school system so much more. Education would be looked at as a blessing, instead of something that must be done. I don’t know why anyone would choose to teach in this country. I’m out. Actuarial position, here I come!
Although i am still a high school student, but i have a passion to teach in the future and become a high school teacher. When my friends dont understand a math question, they will ask me. i think not only would teaching benefit me in such a way that the information i teach get sunk into my brain easiler, but it also give me a sense of accomplishment. That alone makes me really happy.
i wish my dream of becoming a hs math teacher will come true! i have received many math trophies as i am really good at math. But my English is not that great, so from now on, i will start by reading a lot of English books so that my explanation skills as well as writing skills will improve significantly. :)
I also like to explore and understand the theories behind each equations i was taught. THose time i spend to figure out the equation WOULD go to waste if i dont share this knowledge to other people! anyway wish me luck that my dream will come true!!! :) XD xD XD