Piss Off a Teacher

Happy weekend folks! I spent the pass two days subbing in second grade classrooms. Not ideal, but the school year is inching closer and closer.

I say it’s not ideal, because substitute teaching is not fun. I’m not complaining; I am merely stating a fact. Kids like routine, and having a new person in charge totally throws them off kilter. I understand that it’s hard to venture far from this routine; however, I don’t understand being disrespectful to any person.

Sharing these feelings with teachers is easy. They totally get it. They live it each day, and at least pretend to sympathize with my feelings of frustration and angst. I do find it difficult to share stories, feelings, and vent to someone that is in another profession. I feel like I sound crabby and weak. I know that I am young and still learning, but I also feel capable of being in front of a classroom.

For those of you that are not teachers, and feel the need to piss one off, I have a few suggestions to bring up in conversation:

“It’s not that hard. All you do is play with kids all day.” Um, excuse me?!?! PLAY!?! We are giving kids an education; something that arguably matters more than ten other careers combined. There are standards that need to be met. Teachers have curriculum to follow and daily lesson plans that exceed far beyond building sandcastles and finger-painting.

“You can’t complain; you get the summers off.” Oh. My. Gosh. Do you honestly think that is why we are teachers? No. We did not strategically choose a career so we could sun bath and rollerblade all summer. Get real. Plus, have you ever stopped to think how hard we work during the school year? A teacher’s brain never stops. We are constantly thinking about ways to incorporate everything into our curriculum. Throughout the summers we are planning and taking classes. The list goes on and on. Plus, we pay to do all of this. That’s right, “the man” is not paying for us to further our education or buy new posters for our classroom. Not only are we paid s*$%, we pay to better ourselves.

I think I actually have steam coming out of my ears. I need to chill out. That was quite the tangent; but honestly, I can’t wait to be a teacher. I love almost everything about it. It is challenging and rewarding. Kids are amazing. I just want y’all to consider what you say to teachers. And maybe instead of pissing off a teacher, you could thank that person.