I have been thinking about my experiences with wanting to become a teacher, then becoming disillusioned with the entire idea because of a practicum I did. Everything went well, I passed, but the issues facing teachers currently are extremely difficult to overcome and I commend those who are able to teach.
Teachers interact with youth during the school year to a great extent. Through school and after school activities including sports or student council, teachers hold an important place in youth's lives. I question today why it seems teachers do not have the support of parents in disciplinary issues, that the child seems to be innately correct while the teacher is in the wrong?
I personally knew if I ever did anything in school or on the school bus which resulted in disciplinary action it was guaranteed my parents would punish me, in some form, at home as well. The teachers are the authority figures and need to have the support of parents when attempting to deal with issues.
Another problem I found was with teachers who don't deal with the issues. This is part of the reason why I couldn't go through with becoming a teacher. My experience in practicum was with someone who at one point actually told me they prefer the administrative side to actually dealing with youth. I was dumbfounded, how does someone who doesn't really care about the students teach?Granted some of this attitude may have developed through the changing restrictions to a teacher's position; but, all the more reason to uphold what you can. In order to build character in youth boundaries and consequences must be established and adhered to.
Teachers can have a huge impact on a student's life. At the time youth may feel they are being unfairly treated; yet, as they grow as people they will realize how much of an impact a teacher can have. A simple lesson concerning dealing with consequences of one's actions is extremely important. If boundaries can be crossed without consequence then how can a youth grow without thinking they can easily get by in life?
Furthermore if an issue arises outside of school and causes stress in the classroom then it becomes a school problem. If something happens outside of the classroom that inhibits the ability of the teacher to teach caused by a student or if bullying occurs outside of school repercussions can be felt throughout the school community, if not dealt with here then where? The reverberations of actions felt within the school needs to be addressed.
Not only if the reverberations are felt; but, each student is a member of the community and is an ambassador for the school they attend at all times, in my opinion, especially if the actions were towards classmates, teammates, or teachers. What they do outside of school reflects, not only on themselves, but on the teachers, the school, and the youth's family.
Teachers who set clear boundaries are often those more respected than those who do not. Those who are fair, respectful, and have certain expectations of students to adhere to is the teacher I admired in school. The expectations of treating other students or teammates with respect despite who the student is, that is admirable in my opinion.
Some youth may feel privileged in some way and for a teacher to put this person on the same level as all other students, to stand up for what is right and wrong, is the teacher that actually cares about the student. They are actually teaching them valuable life lessons, which are essential. There is so much more to be learnt in school than plotting graphs and dissecting pigs, there is a social aspect learnt as well which teachers are quintessential for.
The teacher, who does not maintain certain expectations, is unreasonable or doesn't care could actually be hurting how youth learn, not only academically but socially as well.
A teacher is something so much more than someone doing a job; it requires someone who raises students to become the best people they can be in school and in society. It is a demanding job, one to which I realized I couldn't do with all of the politics associated with the position, so I greatly respect the teachers who are able to teach. Who take an interest and care for the students, who treat the position as more than a job, but a way to impact the lives of others for the betterment of all.
