Those who can, teach...

My youngest son is currently working on his welding certification. I am trying to remember the context of the conversation that brought up this topic, "Those who do do, those who can't teach." So, we are standing in the kitchen, he is recounting his day, and he said something that led to THAT phrase. He stopped and said, "Mom, that is just wrong. Teaching is the profession that starts us all (or something like that). Without teachers like you, kids would not grow up with the knowledge to become what they want to be." Preach it Mason!

This is a mentality of many people outside of education. I can remember when I was in college and would know students that changed their major. A student started in engineering and could not cut it, so they changed their major to accounting. Same said student then could not cut it in accounting, and changed their major to education. Aaaannnddd the saying is born. Yes, there are some people who choose education because they think it will be the easier path.

On paper it looks like a dream:

* work 8-4 Mon-Fri.

* Thanksgiving week off

*Two weeks off for winter break

*Week off in March

*June and July off...with pay (that is a whole other discussion)

What is not to love?!?!

People who go into education with that idea, do not last long in the classroom. Few teachers live within those bounds. Some are better at balance than others. I will be honest, I have yet to find that perfect balance...even after 14 years.

So what is a teacher? A teacher can be defined as a person who helps students learn by imparting knowledge to them (the student) and by setting up a situation in which students can and will learn effectively.

For me, that definition does not quite break it down enough.

So: The 6 qualities of a good teacher goes a bit farther:

1. Patient and approachable (at all times...even before morning caffeine ;))

2. Enthusiastic (if you are not excited about the content, your student will not be either)

3. Strong communication skills (with your students, with their parents, with your coworkers, with your leadership, with the community)

4. Strong knowledge and a solid education

5. Disciplined and professional

6. Able to recognize the needs of your students and adjust in order to reach them.

People ask all the time: why?

Why do you stay in education? Why don't you go do something else?

We, as educators, are actually asked that question, "What is your 'why?'" This usually comes up around the time when teachers are just plain exhausted as a way to help us refocus and remember "why" we are there.

Here is my why: Because it is who I am.

I find joy when kids get it. I find joy in opening the door for kids to see that they can do hard things. I get to talk about books ALL DAY. I get to tell stories and help students learn to tell their story. I get to teach students how to persuade others effectively. I get to show students that we are better together.

Great teachers are born to teach. Great teachers, teach not because they do not have other options, but because no other option compares to what they do in the classroom.

Yes, teachers are grossly underpaid. Please do not tell us that we are "not in it for the income, we are in it for the outcome" - there are teachers that must work extra jobs just to pay their bills. Without my amazing husband, I would have to have extra jobs.

Yes, the hours are long (check out a school parking lot in the evening).

But it is who we are. Over the years my kids were blessed with some amazing teachers. Those teachers saw past the flaws and quirks in my kids and helped them become the men that they are today. Think about the teachers that believed in you in school. Think about the teachers who helped you understand the things that were just plain hard. They could have done other things, but they chose to teach. Those who can, teach.