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Teachers finish work at 3pm. Teachers are always on holiday. Teaching is easy and anyone can do it. How many of these have you heard?
Well, I have only been teaching since September and to be honest I think I’ve lost count. Therefore, in this week’s blog post I will be busting those pesky teaching myths that drive us crazier than students forgetting their homework!
Myth #1 – “Teachers aren’t as good as they used to be”.
If you like the cane, the dunce hat and a whole lot of chalk and talk, then sure teaching isn’t as good as it used to be.
Yet, 21st century students are provided with experiences out of this world which allow for unique teaching styles, interesting topics and debate and stimulating educational settings that are a feast for the eyes. Modern day students have experienced an education like no other and only passionate and exciting teachers can be thanked for this.
In my placements over the last few months, I have never met professionals as dedicated to their career as teachers and I only hope I can be as devoted as them.
Myth #2 – “A Teacher’s day ends at 3pm”.
Oh, how I wish this was true! In fact, I am yet to meet one teacher that leaves the school before 5pm and if they do, they are 100% taking work home with them. Also, I forgot to mention, we lesson plan, mark, and provide students with feedback on weekends too. *Oh the shock horror*.
However, I must also say that I love to create unique lesson plans that engage and excite my students, mark their work and see the smiles on their faces when they get the grade they wanted, and provide them with feedback that will only make them go from strength to strength. I wouldn’t swap the late nights and early starts for the world.
With this myth being the largest misconception, it is important that individuals do not enter this career for the hope of early finishes and long holidays that are so often linked to the teaching profession. This is fiction not fact.
Myth #3 – “Teachers are not like real people”.
Although, when I saw a student in the supermarket the other day and he almost fainted, I can assure you that teachers are just like real people.
I definitely have a “teacher mode” and I think other teachers would agree, but I also have no issue in letting my hair down and socialising with friends and family every once in a while. It is definitely important to find that balance between work and well-being.
So yes, I am totally happy with students pointing at me in supermarkets, trying to guess my first name (I tell them I don’t have one), and imagining that I never leave the school and sleep right there behind my desk. It’s all just the fun and games of teaching at the end of the day!
There we have it, those pesky myths of teaching well and truly busted.
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