It's Tricky

Dear Friends, 

As you should be aware by now what i do for a living. If you don't, where have you been? I am a teacher, and this is now my 6th academic year doing it. Which is quite the thing to achieve. Mainly because, 6 years ago I wasn’t really sure if I should do it, or if I'd even like it. Now with all the time that has passed, I can say both of those things. However, that doesn't mean it’s easy, it's actually quite tricky really.

One of the things people seem to say about my job, it must be hard. I know they say that mostly due to their own ideas of what a teacher is. From my experience though, all the people who do this job, they do enjoy it. Why? I couldn't tell you why they do, but for me it's because it ticks some many of the boxes of what I need a job to do, which I have mentioned before. But I think for me the tricky part isn't the kids. The tricky part is the other things. 

A lot of people don’t seem to understand there are so many things you’ve gotta be aware of when you become a teacher. You have to know your subject of course. But then you have to know so much more. Like things students like, history of things, and just be generally supportive of students. Then the biggest thing, you have to be aware of the needs of certain individuals. Of course, legally I can't name names, but I have a few students that have so many letters in their pack, i don't know how they function. However, this gives me an edge, because I'm someone who has issues, just like them. 

Of course on paper, everyone seems to think that you go in teaching and lesson and everyone lets it. Sadly that isn't the case. Some people say they get it, but they really don't. Because either they dont want to seem like they are stupid. Or it's simply that they are not able to process the information they have been told, or looked at. Which makes things difficult. Which is why now I feel like this is where things get really tricky. 

I think this way, as a lot of schools just want students to pass, and then not take on the needs of all students, expecting them to pass. This isn't going to happen. Because there is only one of me, and 20 students. There is only so much I can do. Especially when you have to act like a nanny to some kids, to make them behave. It's a troubling balancing act. Which is why early this year when most of my students had taken exams and passed, I was left with the more challenging students, it was very eye opening to how many of them really need the hand holding to get across the finish line. 

They are caveats to this of course. As I do teach under 19 and adults. In the adult classes they like to think they are always making progress, and think they know better. Which can sometimes be annoying. As something they should be succeeding, when really, the arrogance is too much. Or similarly, the people who are working too hard can sometimes be counter productive. As they think they need to use every second to study, and then over-think themselves into making things worse. 

Overall though, my first full time teaching job hasn't been too bad. I have done a lot, and I feel a lot more prepared for this year. As I have time to know what I need to do, and how to make myself better. As a lot of the time I do think I am not as good as my colleagues. However, as I have learned it's a very millieanal thing to think, should I be doing this. I know I just need to have a lot of experience, and maybe in another year or two I will be super confident in the way I teach. So things become a lot less tricky, and a lot more fun. I mean some people do see me as the fun one. 

The truth of the matter is, being a teacher is hard. But I can honestly say it has been the right decision for me. Like many things I do, it's a shame it didn't work out the way I wanted to. But for now, I enjoy what I do. I am not going to think about trying to go places. I am just going to go about just making my job as easy as it can be. Because sure the money is nice, but i would just like to make things as nice as i can for all the students who have issues. I mean that's why I wanted to do this job. 

I do hope a lot of my rambling makes sense. If you do think you would like to get into education, consider it. Just know it’s going to be hard, and a lot of admin. It’s crazy that my teaching is the easy bit. I’ll check back with you all at the end of the year and see how my progress went.

Xo FabEs