Sometimes with all the work we have to do, all the hoops we need to jump through, all the kids that want to break us, all the people that hate on us, the government setting new standards and the paperwork piling high ... We forget about all of the good things in a teachers life ... So hopefully this will remind you of all those reasons to smile in a typical day at school.
- Cups of Tea and Coffee - Okay, now I know this seems a bit silly ... but how good is it when you go to the staff room and get a much deserved cuppa :) Those few sips can just ground you again and bring back your superpowers.
- Holidays - I know everyone always says, teacher's are sooooo lucky because they have all those holidays - well we know the truth behind that, a lot of those holidays are not just sunning it up on a beach and having cocktails with your friends or chilling out with the family ... BUT when that bell goes on the last day of school ... That's enough to make anyone smile :)
- Cakes, Biscuits and just a massive sugar rush - Now I don't know what it is about the stresses of working in a school, but everyone just seems to be on the same page and constantly needs a good sugar kick. So you know someone, somewhere in the school has a stash of sweet snacks somewhere with your name on them.
- A break from the bores of the adult world - It is good sometimes to be with all of those children and young people and to just talk about and listen to the simple things in life and take a step away from all the maturity, responsibility and complexities of being a grown up!
- Those cheeky beverages that call our name on the weekend - It is NO secret that all teachers love a cheeky glass of wine or two, and it feels sooooo much more rewarding after a long hard week in a school compared to working anywhere else.
- Drop Down days, Trips and Events - Okay, so it can be stressful to organise these things and ensure all the pupils are safe and happy ... But it definitely feels like Heaven to have a day out of the classroom and learning about history, crime, the business of a theme park or wherever the curriculum might take you!!!
- Free Lessons - So most people at work look forward to their breaks, but in the world of teaching you most look forward to your frees and getting some of the things on your massive to do list ticked off!!
- Lists - Nothing feels better than writing lists and having the satisfaction of ticking something off when it is finished!
- Excuses - Teaching always gives you a good excuse to not have to do something you don't want to do ... 'Oh I've got marking to do instead', 'I had a staff meeting today and didn't get home until 6, the washing can wait until tomorrow', 'Sorry, I really can't have the parents-in-law over this weekend ... The house is a mess and I haven't done the shopping and I won't get time to do it with all this planning and marking I have to do'.
- The Pupils - Okay, so we all moan, stress, get fed up, lose our patience and think 'Is this really for me?', 'Isn't there something I could do with my life that would be much easier than this?', 'I wish I could just run away!', Why do I even bother?' ... But the truth is, we LOVE teaching because it is one of the most rewarding careers and life choices ... Every time we get through to someone who really did not understand, every time a pupil achieves something, every time we hear 'thank you miss/sir', every time we see a pupil smile, every time a parent has something good to say, every time we try something new in a lesson and it just works, every time the pupils are really engaged in their learning, every time we mark a book and see how much a pupil has progressed, every time we see a pupil be polite and well-mannered and do the right thing ... Every time we forget about all of the stresses, step back and look at those children and young people and realise we are helping them to make something of their lives, to feel confident, happy and safe, to have life skills and just make a difference to their lives!!! = THIS IS WHY WE TEACH!!!
So always remember, when you feel like you've lost those superpowers ... step back, take a look at what you really do and smile ... You are a teacher of life and for that you should be so proud!!!!