Thomas Markham's essay on Redefining Teachers with a 21st Century Education Story was an insightful article on the past story of education and the possible future story. He argues that teachers have a "story" about what they doing and why they're doing it. And, he advocates for a change from past stories to a new story that fits our modern age.
Along the way, Markham gives one of the best descriptions I've found of the reasons people teach: "If you're a teacher, you have placed yourself in the most enviable, challenging, fulfilling role possible in the 21st century: You are responsible for co-creating a future that no one can imagine, and helping an untested generation of youth navigate unknown waters."
This description resonated with me because these are exactly the reasons I've chosen to change careers and become a teacher. Non-teachers seem perplexed by my decision. They don't understand why I've chosen to move to a job that, in their eyes, has less status, lower pay, and worse working conditions. I have had little success convincing such people that this is change that I'm excited and happy about.
Paradoxically, I also have difficulty explaining my decision to other teachers, sometimes. They see the negative aspects of their job and wonder why someone would choose to move into the teaching profession if they had other options. Of course, there are also teachers who understand exactly why I am choosing to make this move. They understand that the rewards of the profession may not be monetary or status-based, but that they are real and true, nevertheless. Even with this group, however, I find that we have difficulty articulating the reasons we teach and the rewards that we find in the classroom.
So, Markham's straightforward statement that the teaching profession is "the most enviable, challenging, fulfilling role possible" was refreshing and encouraging. With this statement, he articulates exactly the intuitive reasons behind my decision to become a teacher. It is an enviable, challenging, and fulfilling job for me.
I love the time I spend in the classroom, and often find myself smiling when I think about it. I treasure the time I spend with students, the times they turn to me for an explanation and listen to what I say, the questions that show they are thinking, and the progress I see over a semester. I look forward to creating relationships with students that help them learn, and am already dreading saying good-bye to my current classes. I want to stay with them and find out how the story ends!
Most importantly, I hope that in my new profession, I can help generate the kind of curious and thoughtful students that the world needs. And, I know that my job as a teacher will be an enviable, challenging, and fulfilling job because of all the possibilities my students bring with them.
Along the way, Markham gives one of the best descriptions I've found of the reasons people teach: "If you're a teacher, you have placed yourself in the most enviable, challenging, fulfilling role possible in the 21st century: You are responsible for co-creating a future that no one can imagine, and helping an untested generation of youth navigate unknown waters."
This description resonated with me because these are exactly the reasons I've chosen to change careers and become a teacher. Non-teachers seem perplexed by my decision. They don't understand why I've chosen to move to a job that, in their eyes, has less status, lower pay, and worse working conditions. I have had little success convincing such people that this is change that I'm excited and happy about.
Paradoxically, I also have difficulty explaining my decision to other teachers, sometimes. They see the negative aspects of their job and wonder why someone would choose to move into the teaching profession if they had other options. Of course, there are also teachers who understand exactly why I am choosing to make this move. They understand that the rewards of the profession may not be monetary or status-based, but that they are real and true, nevertheless. Even with this group, however, I find that we have difficulty articulating the reasons we teach and the rewards that we find in the classroom.
So, Markham's straightforward statement that the teaching profession is "the most enviable, challenging, fulfilling role possible" was refreshing and encouraging. With this statement, he articulates exactly the intuitive reasons behind my decision to become a teacher. It is an enviable, challenging, and fulfilling job for me.
I love the time I spend in the classroom, and often find myself smiling when I think about it. I treasure the time I spend with students, the times they turn to me for an explanation and listen to what I say, the questions that show they are thinking, and the progress I see over a semester. I look forward to creating relationships with students that help them learn, and am already dreading saying good-bye to my current classes. I want to stay with them and find out how the story ends!
Most importantly, I hope that in my new profession, I can help generate the kind of curious and thoughtful students that the world needs. And, I know that my job as a teacher will be an enviable, challenging, and fulfilling job because of all the possibilities my students bring with them.