Re: Teaching: Things you like, Things you don't.

Phillip wrote:
Regardless of my own current enthusiasm for the idea of teaching, at
this very early stage before my primary PGCE, my own experience of
teaching consists of about two weeks in my dad's class, and both my
parent's wholly negative views on primary school teaching. So I would
like to hear from you. And perhaps build up a definitive thread of
opinions about it.

(Incidentally, my mum left after several years - and become an
accountant. My Dad stuck at it, was offered headmaster but turned it
down, left the school and has worked supply ever since. Utterly
bizarre.)

Here are a few of my own (naive?) views on why I'm interested in the
idea of primary school teaching:


* It's a role with some real-world importance attached to it. Childhood
is important.
* I am a good presenter, very creative and like the idea of helping to
sculpt young minds
* I enjoy co-ordinating a group, in a direction I hope will achieve
something. (like back to the classroom, for detention at break time)
* I like the notion of trying to represent some kind of standard to
life. (The anti-chav standard)
* I like the idea of working with a diverse range of subject matter
every day. Continually changing.
* I love the modern use of I.T/multimedia which can be taken advantage
of as part of the learning environment. (A high personal interest here
in technology/computers)
* I like to think I am patient with kids. (perhaps a more intense
experience will show me otherwise)
* There is opportunity for career progression
* Some of the school dinners beat an instant birds-eye.

- Now what should I fear? What should I loath? And what might make it
all worth it?

Why go into it with fear and loathing? Why beg for negativity?

What's worth it? The light in the children's eyes; seeing a child who
couldn't read, read for the first time; seeing the "aha!" when they get
it; having a parent or child thank you for teaching their child; the
cute drawings they give you saying "you are my best teacher" and much
more.

There'll be politics in any profession. There'll be negativity in any
profession. Stay away from the professional moaners and do what you
like best. Don't let the professional moaners drag you down. If you
want to do it, do it.

BTW, teaching is one of the few professions which is portable. It can
literally open the world to you.

.