Teachers: Did you always want to teach...or not? (counselor, activity, educators)

[Chanteuse d' Opéra]

How did you get into teaching (in other words) Was it a family tradition (long line of educators) or was it something you truly wanted to do or was there no alternative? Thanks for the answers everyone

[toobusytoday]

My daughter was one of those kids that you could see becoming a teacher from an early age. Babysitter, day care worker, camp counselor. Our family also has a long line of teachers so while it was not expected of her, it was not a surprise.

Hopefully, not too many people would pick "no alternative". I don't think I would like one of those teachers for my kids.

[swampwolf]

I had plenty of alternatives but I chose teaching because I thought it was the most important job in the world, as it well should be. The administrators and government intervention turn what should be an extremely rewarding profession into an exercise in futility. Ultimately you have to say that it's the parents who want it that way because they are the only ones with legal standing to do anything about it.

You would not believe how many parents would show up at the school on teacher workdays and school holidays, mad as hell that their kids would not be in school that day. And that included a ton of non-working parents.

[mackinac81]

I first realized I wanted to teach at the end of Freshman year in high school, for two reasons.

1) I always liked history, and couldn't think of any other jobs that involved history

2) I liked the school environment. I liked the structure and the exciting "never a dull moment" stimulation of high school.

3) I was always one of those people who liked to give information and help my classmates figure stuff out. This obviously is a good trait in a teacher

Since then it's broadened, as I've realized just how critical a good education is to kids, and to a community. I love working with students. I could see myself doing many other things, but I wouldn't enjoy those things nearly as much as I do teaching.

[Rachael84]

When I was a kid, I would love to play school with my friends. I would usually always be the teacher. I had a desk in my basement, along with 2 blackboards. I loved writing on the board. And yes, I even sent my friends home with books and homework, lol. It was funny. They never did it of course

I had a friend who was a couple years younger than I. I used to bring my schoolwork to her house and teach her what I was learning.

I guess you can say I knew I would end up being a teacher from a young age

[bigcats]

I was a constant school-player too.

However, as a young adult, the funny thing is, I didn't think I wanted to be a teacher. Too scary to be responsible for someone else's learning, I guess.

I didn't go to college for it. I majored in psychology, experimented with the research side of psychology in college, then with the clinical side of it via work in a day treatment center - thinking I'd figure out which I preferred that way and then I'd continue my education in that direction. Instead, I eventually got shuttled into a teaching position at the day treatment center and liked that so much I decided to get credentialed at the elementary level.

And I love it.

[teach1234]

A favorite slow-time activity is asking students if they would ever consider teaching. Not one has ever said yes. Most reply, h-e-double hockey sticks no.

[Sam82]

I wanted to teach since I was in Jr. High. I also played school a lot and taught my sister many things.

[TuborgP]

For some men who entered the profession during the Vietnam war it was a deferment from the draft. Math and Science teachers were exempt. It was a good student exemption for all education majors. There is research that shows the decline in male teachers today is occuring in part because the Vietnam era male teachers are retiring.

[bigcats]

A favorite slow-time activity is asking students if they would ever consider teaching. Not one has ever said yes. Most reply, h-e-double hockey sticks no.

Nah, not my experience at all. At least 50% of my Kinders want to be teachers when they grow up and the rest want to be Power Rangers. I think that's pretty good when it's as good to be a teachers as to be the Green Ranger

Sure, they're kindergartners who don't know anything more than "the teacher is the boss of the class and teaches you how to read" - it's not about pay, hours of work, interference from administration and NCLB, stress from behavior problems and upset parents, etc. But that's the beauty of it. They're so idealistic and recognize what fun it is to be a teacher from that viewpoint.