Teaching Pros & Cons

PROS

Retirement
Teaching is a profession that can pay off in the end.  Once you reach the top of the pay scale and put your time in, you should be able to cash in on your years of service.

Insurance
Most schools offer insurance for their teachers.  Each district decides how much of the monthly payment they will cover, and the teacher will pay the rest.  Depending on the coverage and price, this is good for you and your family.  If you are single or yourself plus one, you may end up paying just as much as a family of four.  I’ve been in districts where I’ve paid $40 a month, and districts where I’ve paid $400-$800 a month for insurance.  It all depends on the state and the district.

Salary
Having a set monthly income, whether you’re paid every two weeks or once a month, is beneficial because it allows you to budget and know what your set income is.  With every year you teach, you gain advancement towards moving up the pay scale and earning a higher salary with every level reached.  There are also opportunities to earn additional pay (stipends) through coaching or serving on committees. 

Summer Pay
Depending on the district, you may be able to choose to have your paychecks spread out over the summer months so you still get paid while on break; or you may not have the option and get paid only during the school year.  Teachers are not paid for their “time off,” they choose how they would like their salary dispersed.

Summers Off
Teachers usually get June, July, and some of August off for summer vacation and to recuperate.  There are opportunities to make additional money and continue working during summer with summer school classes, tutoring, online teaching, etc.

Supplies
Many of the main office supplies are provided for you through the school.  These usually include a computer or laptop, tablet, printer and ink, internet connection, smart board, document projector, copy machine, fax machine, telephone, etc.  Usually the general office supplies are provided as well, (stapler, staples, tape, pens, markers, pencils, file folders, tacks, brass fasteners, scissors, paper, notepads, etc.)

Some districts send home supply lists so each student can purchase items requested by the teacher/grade-level to be used that school year.  Other districts provide students with supplies. 

Parent Support
When parents are part of their child’s learning, it can be impactful.  To have everyone on board, working towards the same goal is when real progress gets made.  Also, having classroom volunteers for parties, projects, field trips, guest readers, etc. is incredibly helpful and enjoyable for everyone.

Achievements & Progress
These are the “ah-ha” moments in the classroom.  When students finally meet their goal, reach a new level, earn their final star on their behavior chart.  Whatever the goal may be, it is always a proud moment for everyone when they achieve it.  When students set their own goals, it is even more of an accomplishment for them.

Read Alouds/Story Time
This was always my favorite part of the day.  When everyone would sit on the carpet in front of my rocking chair and wait patiently to see what the day’s story would be.  Getting the chance to be silly with different voices, inflection, and funny stories was always a great way to kickstart the afternoon or take a nice break during the day.  This was also a great way to introduce a new topic or lesson or build upon the current one. 

Bond with Students
One of the biggest rewards with teaching is growing bonds with your students.  You will listen to and get to know each one of them.  They will come and visit you once they have moved on to the next grade.  You will be their hero, confidant, role model, cheerleader, support system, and champion.  Once you build this bond with them, your year will go smoothly.  “Kids don’t learn from people they don’t like” as Rita Pierson  stated in her Ted Talk  “Every Kid Needs a Champion.”

Teachers Pay Teachers
This website will change your life and teaching.  When everything switched to Common Core and teachers were left with outdated curriculum, Teachers Pay Teachers came to the rescue.  You will find almost anything you can think of on this website, and a lot of it is free!  Teachers Pay Teachers

Holidays/Snow Days
Teachers get most holidays off, as built into their contracts.  Some of these days are utilized for professional development and institute days.  Depending on the geographic location, schools can be closed due to inclement weather.  However, if there is an extensive amount of days absent due to weather, the district will need to make up these days to abide by the contractual hours needed per year.

Classroom Set-up
Before school starts, the teacher gets to set up their classroom any way they want to.  They get to choose a theme, colors, furniture arrangement, bulletin boards, center areas, organize file cabinets, etc.  This is a very exciting time for new teachers as they have waited their whole lives for this moment.  However, this can get very costly if you are going to buy items, so you will need to be creative in order to keep the price down, or reuse items donated by other teachers.  Many schools provide paper materials to help create bulletin boards. 

Specialists
One of the major pros of teaching is having specialists in your building.  These people consist of the Special Education Teacher, Speech Pathologist, Psychologist, Counselor, Reading Intervention Specialists, etc.  These people are miracle workers and really make a difference in the student’s education.  You will communicate and collaborate with them often about your students and their levels.  You will work together to create the best learning plan and create goals to work towards.

Prep Time
This is a time scheduled into your day where you have the freedom to prepare.  You could make copies, work on lesson plans, organize materials, respond to emails, etc.  However, this is a time that you are somewhat “free” and will be used to schedule your meetings.

Sharing Your Passion
Anyone who is a teacher has one thing in common, teaching is their passion.  No one would be able to do it otherwise.  Teachers believe that it is their purpose in life.  That’s what makes great teachers.

Job Security with Tenure
Once you are in a district long enough (2-4 years) and have successfully proven to be a qualified teacher through observations, evaluations, portfolio reviews, etc. then you will be offered tenure, or permanent status.  That gives a sense of security and protection, however there will still be evaluations and reviews throughout the years.

Never Bored
No two days are the same.  No matter how perfect your lesson plans are for the day, something will change.  Teachers are incredibly flexible and roll with whatever is thrown at them during the day.

Noble Profession
Teaching is one of the most respected professions and emanates a sense of pride in people.  You must be intelligent, patient, kind, understanding, positive, professional, responsible, hard-working, able to persevere, and so much more.  All these qualities are easily respected and say a lot about a person who exhibits them.      

Projects
One of the best things about being a teacher is being able to work on projects and activities.  Whether it be for a Literature play or a Science experiment, projects are always a lot of fun.  Depending on the extent of the project and how much Project-Based Learning (PBL) or STEM is being incorporated, the cost of materials and resources may become pricey.  Luckily, teachers have Donors Choose, an organization designed to find donors for your classroom.

Book Orders/Book Fair
As a child, my favorite time of the year was when book orders came home, or the school put on a book fair.  Turns out, it is just as exciting as an adult!  One of the best things about Scholastic book orders is that you get so many points per order.  The more you spend, the more points you get.  This is an excellent way to build you classroom library, get student gifts, prepare supplemental materials for lessons, get games and learning centers, etc. 

College Educated
As a requirement to teach, you will need to achieve your bachelor’s degree.  Most teachers strive to achieve their master’s degree and continue their education.  This is used to move up the pay scale and get your required hours for certification and renewal.  Depending on the district, they may help pay for your continued education.

ClassDojo
ClassDojo is a classroom management app that is used to track student behavior, positive and negative.  It is also an excellent form of parent communication. 

Learning Apps and Websites
There are countless learning apps and websites out there.  If you search online, you will be able to explore these options and find ones beneficial to your class and learning goals.  Some apps that I have used in the classroom are Epic, XtraMath, Storyline Online, Kahn Academy, Renaissance (Accelerated Reader, STAR), Starfall, Funbrain, Reflex Math, Softschools, Abcya, etc.

School Supplies
I’d say that most teachers have a slight “addiction” to school supplies.  There’s always that special time during the summer, when it transitions into “back to school” time and the shelves and isles become stocked with school supplies for the upcoming year.  This is when teachers start to get excited about the new year.  They are refreshed from their summer break and are ready to take on their new classes. 

Living Childhood Dream
There are many teachers out there that have been wanting to be teachers since they were students themselves.  So many children “play school” and want to be teachers.  The ones that stick with that goal are indeed teachers today and are living out their dreams.

Cons

Low Income
It is no surprise that teachers do not make a lot of money.  There is in no way a fair correlation between a teacher’s income and the responsibilities and requirements of the profession.  Each state and district is different in what they pay their teachers for their qualifications, years of experience, etc.  Generally, across the board, the income of a first-year teacher is hardly enough to live on.  Especially if you’re still paying for student loans from getting your degree.  It isn’t until you continue your education, join committees, gain years teaching, etc. before you can start earning more money.  However, you do not want to get too many additional units or fully obtain your master’s degree, or you may have trouble getting hired.  Many districts higher new teachers just starting out, than teachers who are highly qualified and require more money for their achievements. 

High Expectations
Teachers often have high expectations for themselves and their students.  They may feel there is nothing they can do that is good enough and often feel a sense of failure.  Many administrators and districts put extra pressure on teachers.  This is done through observations and evaluations, portfolios, lesson planning, committees, volunteer work, etc.  Some places display the mindset of “You suck until you prove you don’t.”  This is an incredibly stressful environment to be in, and frustrating because you are still expected to be innovative and try new things.  Well, when that new thing is your first ever STEM project and your administrator walks into the room to “controlled chaos,” you are left with a pit in your stomach; not knowing if what you are doing is good or bad in their eyes and maybe without the opportunity to “explain.”

Socially Obligated Activities
There are so many different activities teachers are obligated to participate in.  Everything from baby showers and birthdays, to fun fairs and bake sales.  These are not the activities that are curriculum based, committees, or coaching that are often expected and/or required.  These obligations are in addition to the responsibilities and requirements already piled on teacher’s plates, that are thought of as volunteer opportunities.  I don’t know where the idea that teachers have “extra time” to volunteer came from.  If you don’t force yourself to be part of these activities, then you are left feeling like you’re not doing enough or you’re letting people down.

Committees
There are many different committees’ teachers are responsible for being a part of.  These can be learning maps, curriculum creation, leadership, student study teams, parent teacher organizations, professional learning teams, and extracurricular activities.  If you can find the ones you are interested in or passionate about, then these can be enjoyable and rewarding.  However, if you are forced into a position or multiple positions, it can be tedious, exhausting, and frustrating.

Duties/Responsibilities
In some districts, teachers are required to perform different duties to aid in transitions and daily routines.  These include recess, lunch, or before and after school duties.  In some instances, the teacher is also required to attend different activities with the students, like library, art, or music.  When the school has other adults to monitor these systems, it takes less pressure off the teacher and gives them more preparation time.

Parent Neglect
This is one of the most upsetting aspects of teaching and is absolutely heartbreaking.  There are so many kids that are not coming to school with their basic needs being met at home.  The assumption that students are getting enough sleep, bathing regularly, being fed appropriately, etc. is inaccurate for many families.  Students are unable to be prepared to learn when they do not have those needs met first.  This is a major issue that teachers need to consistently remind themselves of and be sensitive to students’ situations.  This neglect is a problem resulting in no support or respect for education or the teacher. 

Need Witness/Protection
Teachers also need to be conscious of their surroundings, and always have another adult present in different situations.  Believe it or not, children will lie for no apparent reason, and you will need to have a witness there to protect yourself.  Something as simple as walking down the hall, and a kid turning to you, lying, and saying, “why did you push me?” (true story), could be enough to ruin your career if no one else is around to witness it.  Parent communication is another time you may want someone else present.  All of these situations can be managed by including others in e-mails, asking colleagues to join you in meetings, keeping your classroom door open, working with students in groups, etc.  Many teachers join the Union in hopes of having extra “protection” as well.

Common Core Math
Anyone in education, or a parent that sees their child’s homework, has an opinion about Common Core Math.  This new way of teaching Math, in theory has its perks, but the simplicity and foundational skills that need to be taught are lacking.  Instead of taking a problem and solving it the way most adults were taught (a+b=c), now we are to explain the thinking process of how we got to those numbers.  This theory makes sense in terms of understanding the process and being able to explain the steps one took to solve, but many times the steps are backwards and unnecessary.  It makes for more time and effort when you could just simply solve the problem.  Common Core is making way more work and confusion, not only for the students, but also for any adult that tries to understand the process as well. 

Lack of Supplies
More often than not, as a teacher I have been responsible for providing supplies for my classroom.  Not just my supplies, but for all 24 students.  Depending on the district, some students are unable to afford any school supplies whatsoever.  The school will provide the essentials at the beginning of the year, hopefully, but there’s a lot that fall onto the teacher.  If you happen to be in a school that is able to send out “supply lists” and the students come to school with these items, that’s great!  However, mostly all the additional supplies for lessons, projects, crafts, experiments, etc. will be the teacher’s responsibility, or hope for parent donations.

Conferences
Parent teacher conferences are a great thing, if they take place.  When the parent, student, and teacher are all on the same page, amazing things happen.  However, if the parent never shows up for the meeting, or never answers the phone; then this is impossible to do, since one leg of the tripod is missing.  Conference week is a time that is completely exhausting, but also necessary and beneficial.  You can meet a student’s parent(s) and understand so much more about that student than you did before.  In a perfect world, the parent(s) attend the meeting, listen to what the teacher has to say, and they all work together to create a plan to help the child.  In a less than perfect world, the parent doesn’t show up and never reschedules so all year there will never be any support, or if they do arrive, they are aggressive and defensive.  With parents like this, it is very difficult to calmly continue the meeting and discuss the student.  After all, you are still human, and someone being a total jerk to you is completely unacceptable.  However, as the teacher you are required to take the abuse and try to defuse the situation.  Their child’s “behavior issues” do start to make more sense though.

Homework
Homework is such a controversial topic among educators, as some believe in it and some don’t.  That alone makes for a stressful situation, in trying to keep up with your grade-level team’s beliefs or having a different approach or opinion.  If you are one who assigns homework, then you are responsible for grading it.  Depending what it is, the importance of it, the percent of the overall grade, or your purpose for assigning it, this can be a very taxing task if you do not stay caught up on it.  There have been times, I have spent my entire weekend grading assignments, because I didn’t have the time during the week to stay caught up.  As a new teacher, it is a challenge to figure out what should be a grade, and if you can trust homework to be a true assessment of the student’s knowledge.  Also, you encounter the dilemma of incomplete or late assignments, plagiarism, lack of effort, etc. when it is expected to be completed outside of school.

Failure
As a teacher, the sense of failure is eminent.  You will either feel like you’re failing as a teacher or you’re failing at home.  You will be so utterly exhausted, that it is almost impossible not to feel this way.  Hopefully, you will be able to find a healthy balance, and make time for yourself to recuperate and find the energy and willpower to carry on. 

Lack of Support                                 
I have already touched based on what it is like to not have any support from home.  To review, it is upsetting, frustrating, and makes you question so many things about society today.  Another way that teachers are lacking support is from administration.  Just like any job, the boss sets the guidelines for expectations, procedures, etc.  However, if the Principal does not do this, then you are left on your own and are completely lost.  Another time, administration can drop the ball is when there are severe behavior issues that escalate beyond your control.  Most behavior problems can be dealt with in the classroom, however when the situation is out of control, that is when administration needs to step in; and remember the teacher is still responsible for a group other little humans.  Most Principals are amazing and do everything and more a teacher could hope for.  If you happen to be in a situation where they don’t, and you feel you have no support from them…run!

Student Loans
Obviously no one gets into teaching for the money, but it really hits home when you finally graduate and get a job; and you can barely make enough money to live on and pay back your student loans.  Many teachers will have to get a second job just to try to get by.  I never really thought about the money aspect of teaching, just that that’s all I ever wanted to do.  If I had really understood how broke I’d be as a teacher, I would’ve done a lot of things differently.

Professional Development Pull-Out Days
I love professional development days, however I hated being pulled out of my classroom for them.  Yes, some are scheduled on institute days and you’re not missing any classroom time.  The ones that are for committees, grade-level trainings, specialized programs, etc. and you need to get a substitute in your classroom are infuriating.  There was a year I was out of my classroom once, if not twice a month for additional responsibilities.  I had so many substitute plans to write and was missing so many days with my kiddos, it was ridiculous!

Sub Plans
It is almost easier to be at school, no matter how sick you are, than to prepare for a substitute.  However, some days are unscheduled, and you are unable to have actual plans.  This is when your organization comes into play and you hope everyone just survives the day.  If you know you’re going to be absent, and you are planning for a substitute, it is exhausting.  You are trying to cover every aspect of the schedule, the day, the lessons, any behavior issues that may arise, etc.  You will spend hours planning for this, and ultimately just hope for the best.

Substitute Teachers
Once you have created the perfect plan for the day, you still have to rely on the substitute teacher to follow through.  Some days, you wonder if they did anything all day because nothing is completed.  Then you think, “they must’ve done something because my room is a disaster!”  If you can find a substitute you can count on, you will actually have some peace in knowing your class will be taken care of, and the day will continue on as if you were there.  If this happens, request that substitute as soon as you know you’re going to be out.  On emergency days, you will end up just hoping the substitute shows up.  If not, your class will be divided up and will be your colleague’s responsibilities for the day.  Which let me tell you, is not a good feeling.  You end up feeling really bad you put more on the plates of your team teachers.  Almost all teachers can handle this and are flexible so it all works out, it’s just a less than desirable solution when you were counting on a substitute. 

Behavior Issues
Behavior issues are one of the biggest roadblocks to learning.  No matter how great your behavior management system is, there will still be behavior issues you will need to deal with.  Some are as a simple as blurting out, while others result in your room getting destroyed and losing that much learning time because the other kids had to be removed for their safety.  There are countless plans, professional development trainings, books, etc. and it will take time to find something that works for each class.  However, it will always need to be modified to ensure it is working to its full potential.  Some kiddos will need their own plan entirely, and it is the teacher’s duty to create this, implement it, monitor the behavior, make notes throughout the day, and evaluate and reflect at the end of the day.  This all needs to be done while managing the rest of the class and continuing teaching.  If you have a plan that works and you are consistent, your year will hopefully run smoothly.

Meetings
As a teacher, there are countless meetings you will be required to attend.  These include staff meetings, grade-level meetings, parent meetings, administration pre and post evaluation meetings, committee meetings, professional development/institute days, etc.  Some will be very beneficial, while others could been taken care of with an email.

Class Sizes
Class sizes vary among grade levels and schools.  Some schools have an average class size of 18 while others are closer to 30.  It all depends on the student enrollment in that community.  Some classes overall will be a larger number of students, while others have fewer.  Some districts higher more teachers to create more classes to accommodate for these groups.  Which then results in constant movement for teachers as the larger and smaller groups go through school.  This is an inconvenience to new teachers who are lowest on the seniority list, because they will be the ones to shift as needed.  Other districts have a set number of teachers and it doesn’t matter how many kids are in the grade, those few teachers will divide them up.  

Standardized Tests
It is very upsetting that students are being forced to take standardized tests.  These tests are not for the students, but more for the rating of the school and judgment on the teachers.  No matter how well you teach, or cover all the standards, it is up to the students as to how much effort they put forth.  You can give all the test taking tips, express how important these tests are, and how everyone should try their best; but if a kid shows up and doesn’t try, or guesses on all the answers then that is not a true assessment.  It’s more difficult to teach perseverance, pride, effort, grit, etc. then it is to teach the material.  Did I mention how every student is required to take these tests?  Sure, there are some accommodations that can be set up, that in theory should be helpful, but everyone is being graded on the same thing, and it doesn’t matter if you have special needs, can’t read the materials, or can’t sit still long enough to complete it.  Ultimately, these tests are a waste of time and unnecessary anxiety for all involved.  Unless you’re the kid who answers all C, then you’ve figured out that it’s a “free day” for you.

Extra Hours
Teachers have a contractual obligation to be at the school from point A to point B.  I have never met a single teacher that actually does that consistently.  If by chance, they do leave when they can, they are taking home a full bag or rolling cart of things to work on.  A teacher’s job is never done.  They spend most of their “free” time working on things for school, visiting the classroom on the weekends, and staying up late or coming in early.

Public Figure
Teachers have a certain image they need to abide by.  You will most likely not see them out having drinks in your neighborhood tavern.  The old-fashioned sense of rules or etiquette still applies today on a certain level.  You have a reputation as a public figure who’s held to a different set of standards.

Lack of Security/Tenure
As a new teacher, you will constantly have a fear of rejection and be terrified of your formal evaluations.  You are near the end of the seniority list and will be the first to be let go (pink slipped) if numbers change.  This is a very stressful feeling, and it is always in the back of your mind.  Even if you do your job well, there is always still that chance until you reach permanent status (tenure).

Evaluations
Observations and evaluations are a natural part of education.  There will always be people entering your classroom.  All you can do is carry on and hope it’s not a time of “controlled chaos” that looks awful to an outsider.  Discuss these scenarios with your students so they are prepared when a visitor enters the room.  Your Principal should be on your team and want you to do well.  They will not be coming in to “catch you,” it’s just part of their job.  Formal evaluations are a very stressful thing leading up to them.  Once it’s over, you feel great.  Afterwards, you will discuss what went well, what can be improved, etc. which is good for all teachers to improve.

Politics
You will need to decide if joining the union is right for you.  Every school/district will have a representative that can answer questions and manage the paperwork for you.

Acting/Always “On”
Most teachers would agree that their profession is no different than an actor’s, well except the pay.  Every day is a performance, and you will need to do the best you can.  If you are sick, sad, exhausted, pissed off, whatever it may be, you will need to turn on your smile and professionalism to do your job.  Just remember to lock your door before you cry under your desk on lunch.

Burnout/Exhaustion
This is a common thing for teachers.  It is very difficult not to get burnt out when you are putting everything you have into something and getting very little back.  Administration will put as much on you as they can, and new teachers are too afraid to say no to anything.  It is a bad situation to be in, because as a new teacher, it is the most exhausted you’ve ever been in your life, and you’re trying your best to survive day to day life.  Then your Principal says they need a person to fill in for whatever it is, and you can’t refuse.  You want to be involved and you want to pull your weight, but you need to pace yourself and only choose the things your passionate about.  If you hate Math, don’t be on the Math committee, it will crush your soul that’s already hanging on by a thread.

Disgusting/Germs/Bodily Fluids
Boogers, snot, spit, the list goes on and on.  You can never have enough disinfectant wipes and Lysol.  At some point you will get such a bad cold, you’ll think it’s the plague; but if you survive, you’ll be immune to all the little snot-monsters’ germs, and you should be good the rest of the year.  At least once a day you will ask yourself, “why is this wet?”  You will need to get a good hand lotion too, because you’ll be washing your hands so much they will be as a dry as the Sahara.

Limited Job Opportunities
If you decide to leave the formal classroom setting of teaching, you will find there is not much out there to transition into.  There are different opportunities to teach online like VIPKid; but if you are wanting to step away from teaching, it may be difficult to find something else in the education field where your degree and experience will be valued.

Deadlines/Pressure
There is always something to do, and as a result a deadline it needs to be done by.  Even if it’s as simple as your lesson plans that need to be submitted by a certain time each week, it can be stressful.  Some others include, different responsibilities to committees you’re part of, parent letters that need to go home, communication with outside sources for field-trips, budget requisitions, responding to emails, formal portfolio, evaluation paperwork, induction program homework, etc.  This is probably why teachers are so organized and are meticulous when they choose a planner.  If you do not write everything down, set reminders, etc. you run the risk of forgetting something and letting someone down.  It puts a lot of pressure on yourself constantly questioning, “what am I forgetting?”  These questions and conversations usually occur at midnight when you’re trying to fall asleep.

Standards/Limited Time
There are so many things that need to be done in a short amount of time.  You have 9 months with each group of kids, and it is your responsibility to have them prepared to move onto the next grade level knowing everything they’re supposed to.  Each standard needs to be taught in this amount of time, and that’s not factoring in holidays, institute days, your sick days, inclement weather days, they’re absences or pull-outs from the classroom, etc.  This is also assuming they understood the concept the first time you taught it.  There will be lessons you will need to revise and reteach because the first time was a flop.  You will always feel pressured to stay busy and productive.  It is a conscious reminder to lighten up and take a break sometimes. 

Technology
Technology has become such a large part of education.  Many classrooms are able to have one to one devices the students can use.  This could be a result of standardized tests being computer based.  It will be difficult at first to figure out how to appropriately incorporate these devices into the classroom and your lessons.  There are great applications out there that can be used to enhance a lesson or to practice different skills.  However, finding the best ones for your class can be a little tricky.  You will also need to monitor student’s activity with technology to ensure they are being appropriate.

Copy Machine
The copy machine could be enough to make or break your day.  More often than not it will not be working properly, won’t have any paper, will be occupied, will get jammed, will run out of ink, etc.  Some schools have nice new machines without any problems, or even have volunteers to run your copies for you.  Best copy machine advice…hope for the best, plan for the worst.

Room Temperature I don’t know why, but every room is either too hot or too cold.  It doesn’t make any sense that it is so difficult to regulate the temperature of the classroom.  This is just how it is.  Dress in layers and pray you have windows that open.

Glitter
Anyone who has ever worked with glitter can understand this.  I am in a love-hate relationship with it.  I love using it because it’s pretty and really makes for nice Christmas and Valentine’s projects, but it gets everywhere.  You will still be finding it long after the holidays are over.  Even if you think you have it all cleaned up, it returns once the projects get moved because all the little loose pieces fall off and you have to start the clean-up process all over again.  Oh glitter, how I hate to love you.

To Teach or Not To Teach