What Teachers Actually Do (It’s Much More Than You Thought)

I found this lovely graphic on Tumblr and I just had to highlight it here on this blog.

A lot of people don’t understand what teaching is all about. I come across people who frequently belittle my chosen profession or who really don’t understand why I do what I do.

Here is a great video where Matt Damon talks about why teachers actually do all of these things you see in the above pie chart.

 

He says, “You think job insecurity is what makes me work hard? . . . A teacher wants to teach. I mean, why else would you take a sh*tty salary and really long a** hours and do that job unless you really love to do it.”

I love teaching. It is a rewarding experience on so many levels. But it is a lot of hard work. Most people who complain about the pay or hours they think the teachers actually put it or earn, could never handle a classroom of twenty-five children of varying needs, skills, and abilities.

This video is brilliant! Taylor Mali really breaks down what a teacher makes in this clip.

Here’s just one of the gems he drops in this inspirational speech. “I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.”

Our children need teachers who are passionate about their craft. They need people who believe in them and push them to achieve. They need cheerleaders in their corner encouraging them to work hard, to try their best, and to not let a failure or a bad play stop them from soldiering on. They need coaches, choirmasters, and bandleaders to inspire them and teach them about art and athletics. They need to hear messages that show they are cared for, valued, and important.

That is what I do on a daily basis. That is why I am a teacher. When I see a student succeed at something they didn’t think they could do or when I see the lightbulb of understanding go off, it is the best pay-off I could ever think of.

We teachers are here for your children. But we are often undervalued and under-appreciated. I wish that would change. I hope I’ve been able to educate a few of those people out there, the ones who often confront me the way the dinner guest did in the above clip.

Teachers make a difference!

Thank you for letting us teach your children. It’s a huge responsibility that I don’t take lightly (and neither should you)


2 responses to “What Teachers Actually Do (It’s Much More Than You Thought)”

  1. Hi Chase .. excellent pie graph .. showing what areas you cover .. such a good pictorial explanation.

    While your two clips are pretty funny too – bringing home some home truths – if only people thought before they spoke.

    Well done and good post .. cheers Hilary

  2. Hi Hilary,

    I could add a few more wedges to that pie graph. The amount of things I actually do in my profession is staggering and it seems to be continually growing as well.

    Those clips are priceless. I love how some people "get it." But for the most part, it seems like people don't understand or emphasize with teachers at all, which is a shame.

    That was my pro-teacher post for the year!

    Cheers!