Beech Tree News Network

Retired now, I am proud to have been an educator. I taught in Tennessee for eight years. Then I taught at Butler County High School for eight and a half years and worked at the Central Office for sixteen years. During the last few years of my career, I also taught graduate-level Educational Leadership classes for Western Kentucky University. I liked teaching because of the students, the work environment, and the feeling of making a difference.

I read an article about the reasons people choose to become teachers and the reasons some quit teaching. A survey of trainees and newly qualified teachers found that “of those who have considered resigning, 76% cited heavy workloads as the reason. More than 54% said that they did not think they’d be teaching in 10 years’ time and almost a quarter imagined they’d move on in half that time. Some positive statistics were also reported. One of the most popular reasons (75%) for joining teaching was a desire to make a difference, and 80% said they taught because they enjoyed working with children. Contrary to popular belief, just below 20% went into teaching because of long holidays” (https://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/2015/jan/27/five-top-reasons...). These findings were not based on the opinions of experienced teachers, and their reasoning might differ somewhat.

Working with and getting to know children was perhaps my favorite thing about teaching. When I began teaching, I worked with seventh and eighth grade students. I remember telling someone that every day was a new day for that age group and hence, a new day for me, too. The students’ moods and interactions changed from day to day – I never tired of watching their resilience (and I never knew for sure what to expect). High school students were a bit more sophisticated and less intense, but watching them mature was also a joy. I can’t remember even one child whom I disliked – even though I had to punish behaviors occasionally. And my least favorite task was giving grades for performance – especially failing grades. Teachers want students to be successful.

I liked going to work. Each school or office in which I worked was comfortable: I felt safe. At the beginning of my career, school shootings didn’t occur. Later they were rare. And, believe it or not, teaching a classroom of students is actually fun. Even though what should be taught is likely predetermined, how it will be taught usually allows for some creativity, providing a challenge. I also felt a kinship with my coworkers. After all, we shared the responsibility of educating a large number of students. Many of my good friends were teachers, and I have an abiding respect for the many hard-working educators whose paths intersected with mine.

Solomon Ortiz said, “Education is the key to success in life, and teachers make a lasting impact in the lives of their students” (https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/students). Educators feel that they make a difference because they have the opportunity and privilege to help children learn. When the phrase “seeing the light bulb come on” is used in reference to watching new learning, teachers can relate. Children’s eyes often sparkle when they understand something new – maybe they’re happy in that moment. I enjoyed helping students prepare for the next step in life and wanted all of my students to be successful in whatever path they chose. I believe most teachers feel the same.

Even though I’m proud to have been an educator, the educational system needs our support. One way to support schools is through prayer. Since the 2018 National Day of Prayer is Thursday, May 3, let’s pray for our nation and our schools, too.