Replies to '12/06 Teacher Troubles'

 What a true statement in your post "Just because a person has teaching credentials does not mean they need to teach children." 

It's true; teaching has to be a calling.  I thought I was called; until my student teaching semester.  Only then did I realize what a mistake I had made.  If only I had spent more time in a teaching setting prior to selecting my college major!!  I went back to college as an adult.  I had home schooled my children; and wanted to make a difference with other children via teaching.  Initially, I was so excited about "teaching" only to realize that it was not the "noble calling" I had envisioned. (Needless to say, lol, the students I encountered were not as interested in learning as my own children were when I home schooled them, nor were they as cooperative as the youth I taught when I volunteered in our church, youth group or sunday school setting.) I spent two years trying to deal with the stress, until I realized I didn't have the ability to deal with disrespectful students and parents, etc. etc..  My second year teaching, I spent  in a Catholic school; after my first year was teaching in a public school.  I thought the private school setting would provide a more structured and peaceful environment!!  Wrong!!  An interesting note; my daughter is in college, and after her own soul searching, she chose elementary education.  After two years of teaching at the Pre-school level, while attending college, she has decided that teaching is not for her either. She is entering her student teaching semester, and has now decided to attend Law School; she took her LSAT recently.  She found out because of her own experiences that she wants to do something else; the stress of the teaching, the lack of respect, etc. are too much.  This is a very talented, loving, capable young woman; professional and intelligent.  I am very glad that she is going straight to graduate school. God Bless the good teachers in the world.  My heart goes out to you.  It seems like a thankless job; I am glad there are capable and strong teachers out there.  I  didn't have the strength to carry on with the profession.  I happily chose to further my education and chose a different profession; I am glad I was able to find another career which makes me feel good about going to work every day.