Final Essay

Abstract

In this final essay, you will find my response to the question presented. The scenario question given is, “You have decided to apply for your first teaching position. The principal seated across from you ask this question: “What are 3 rewards and 3 challenges that you will face as a teacher?” In my essay I will share 3 rewards and 3 challenges that we teachers today face as a unit and individually, all of which I have learned through text of “Those who can, Teach 14th edition by Kevin Ryan, James M. Cooper, and Cheryl Mason Bolick and through this course of Principles of Education. As a new teacher, there are many rewards and just as many challenges coming into being an educator. Three rewards that I would like to focus on are one, The work hours as an educator. Two, the room and opportunity for relationship between student and teacher and teacher and parent. Finally Three, the opportunity to be front row In a students growth and development. The three challenges that I will focus on is One, the different behavior challenges from each student and the difference of behavior expectancy between home and classroom. Two, the lack of administration support. Finally Three, The financial burden of having to supply for classroom supplies on a teacher salary.

While interviewing for a teaching position this past fall, I was asked two interesting questions. The first question was what are three rewards you will face as a teacher, and the second question was what are three challenges you will face as a teacher. My response you will find throughout this essay.

As an educator, there are many rewards one can look forward to. One reward in particular is the schedule of an educator. The schedule of an educator is probably one of the best schedules when it comes to careers. For any other career field there is no such thing as Winter break, Thanksgiving break (over one day), Spring break, Summer break. No other career field outside of education gets as many breaks as an educator especially not breaks that you get paid for where you don’t have to use your leave. The second reward that a teacher can look forward to as an educator is the opportunity to build new relationships with not only your students, but also their parents. The relationship you build with your students is especially important. Your students can be with you for 8hrs or less out of their day, you become a regular adult figure in their life and its incredibly important that your students feel safe (emotionally, Physically, Mentally), supported, and cared for. The relationship between parents and educators is if not just as important as the relationship between the educator and the students. “It is crucial for teachers to establish and maintain effective channels of communication with parents.” During the school year and even during the summer break, I personally try to team up with my parents so that their child, my student has the best learning experience possible. I believe that when teachers and parents team up, you show the student that everyone is invested in their education, you cut down on possible behavior issues that may surface, and parents are involved in their child’s education experience. The third reward that a teacher can look forward to but certainly not least would be the opportunity to witness first hand the growth and development of your students. Students can come into school on all different types of reading levels, math levels, and different levels of cognitive understanding, different writing levels, etc. As long as you as an educator puts in the work, the student puts forth their best, and support is received from home, there is no justified reason to why a teacher shouldn’t witness growth and development from their students.

With so many rewards that an educator can expect, there are several challenges that come with the classroom. One challenge that I personally can expect to have is the lack of support from home that has room to cause behavior issues in the classroom. When teachers and parents are not on one accord, the student picks up on that and will try every hand that they can. Also when teachers and parents are not on one accord, you get issues such as: varied perceptions, judgements on students, Differences of social class and experiences, Overburdened parents, the pain of change, special problems, and privilege and responsibility. Parents may feel they have a shy, introverted child, but at school they teacher may get an extraverted chatterbox. Some parents may not feel that their child should not be responsible for getting their own homework done on their own (3rd-8th grade). You will get that one parent that feels their child is extremely special. More special then the other students where they shouldn’t have to be in the same class or expected to complete work that does not challenge their child. Its extremely important that Teacher and parents communicate and work as a team and not against each other. My second challenge that I have experienced personally myself is the lack of administration support. Sometime, administration caters to parents without the support of their staff in mind. Speaking from a private school teaching environment, Administration supports the money that comes in and sometimes forgets to support the people putting in the work. Administration also has a boss, so even if they want to support their teaching staff, if their higher up is going in a different direction, they have to follow and so does their staff. My third challenge but certainly not the last challenge for an educator, will be the financial burden of supplying, decorating, providing for your classroom on the low salary of an educator. I recently spoke with a gentleman in a retail store and my occupation came up. The response of the gentleman was “oh you’re an educator, you make money.”. Absolutely not! Even the most educated educators have to live with roommates because teachers make beans. However, with that reality of making beans, we are still obligated to create a classroom centered around education while also being welcoming to your students. Classroom decorations and supplies can run a teacher easily around $250-$400 dollars depending on what your classroom needs.

These rewards and challenges I expect to face as a first year teacher along with many more. With the great possibilities of this occupation being hard and difficult at times, Im sure that as long as I keep my mind on the rewards and seek out the support that I need, I know that I will get through my school year successfully with the ultimate reward of shaping my students lives.