First of: This is no self-adulation post! It might sound a little like it (at least some people on facebook told me that it sounds like that) but it totally isn’t meant like that. In fact it took me quite some time to write this since I usually prefer to do stuff and not to just talk about it. Nevertheless sometimes there comes the time when you need to clarify something or explain something to the masses. So, dear mass, her it comes: Why fun(k) in teaching?
There is the old stereotype that only people who suck in their current profession go into teaching since, if you don’t suck, you could easily earn more money as you do as a teacher. Well part of it is true. You probably won’t get that rich as a teacher. The first part of this statement isn’t that true though. Of course there are many losers amongst teachers. Many people you wouldn’t believe to make it in the ‘real’ world. But think about it…every company has such persons. They are everywhere not only amongst teachers. Besides that I am quite convinced that I still would rock ‘the real world’ – actually I am quite sure that, right now while you read this and smile, I outrank you somewhere somehow – ;-)
Nevertheless this isn’t what I want to talk about. Actually I don’t care tooo much about right now. Right now I’m going to tell you something that might shock you and make you lose your faith in everything you ever believed in but…..it is not all about the money!
I said it before and I say it again: There are things that are way more valuable than money, cars, playstation or flatscreen TVs. So if you are somehow unsatisfied with your life even though you earn a lot of money, drive fancy cars and hang out in the coolest clubs – give it a try! Working with young, motivated students can give you more than you ever thought. More than stuff like money can give you. Satisfaction on a completely different level.
Right now we are facing the end of the current term which means there are a lot of final exams, presentations and goodbyes. During the phase of goodbyes and farewells students tend to give their feedback (if they are not to scared or to much of a bootlicker). Some of the feedback from last week that really made me happy and showed me that the work over here is – despite all the frustration that sets in from time to time – is totally worth it – was the following.
I met a student in the evening in our canteen by coincidence. She said hi and then all of a sudden:
Teacher….do you remember last week when you talked with us about dreams? Well….I was always to scared to believe in my dreams and to try to make them come true but now…I somehow feel I can do it. Thank you. You’re kind of my inspiration….
I know it sounds strange to write this down but hearing a student saying this really made me happy. Not only for a moment, for a long time. I am still very happy when I think about it. That shows me that we – teacher – really can influence students’ lives.
Another example happened this week. During my last classes I usually let students stand up and tell them just to talk. Just say what you think. No preparation. One student than stood up and said:
I usually don’t say that but today I just want to let you know: I love you all! You, my friends, are the best and very important to me. Thanks for always being with me! And…teacher…I am very proud to study with you and hope to study with you again next term.
Another of those ‘ooooh’ moments. Seeing and hearing a student saying things like this – and meaning it – is far more worth than any paycheck in the world could possibly be.
So if you still think there are no reasons for ‘normal’ people to go into teaching…think twice or leave all the good feelings for me ;-)
