LIFE, AS I WISH IT WERE

Or, my brief life as a teacher

Learning is my passion, teaching my calling

I made a lot of money

I helped a lot of people

I ran, biked, read, taught Sunday School, had fun with the family

I make a lot less money

I don’t have time or energy to help others

See bullet point above

Before I was a Teacher Since I’ve been a Teacher

Continuing Theme

Lots of energy Many goals Super positive

atti-tude Felt free

Exhausted Just get to the

finish Depressed, disil-

lusioned, and deflated

Feel “straight-jacketed”

Before I became a Teacher

Since I’ve been a Teacher

Long Ago

Teaching has changed since I went to school.

Teachers were respected Teachers had absolute

authority Teachers seemed to enjoy what

they did School was a safe place School was a warm place School was a caring place

Today’s school

Teachers are on edge all of the time.

Teachers get no respect Teachers have very little

authority I’ve known very few teachers

who enjoy what they do School is not a safe place School is not a warm place School is not a caring place

Today’s Teacher

According to the National Center for Educational Statistics:

Drop-out rates for teachers are higher than students

Quality teachers are most likely to leave Have easier time finding

employment Make more money in private

sector

Is it me?

Maybe, but I’m not so sure.

Teaching in public school: 2nd most stressful job in U.S.

(after air traffic controller) 25% leave profession after 3

years 50% leave profession by 5th year

What’s next?

“Think I’ll pack it in and…buy a pick-up, take it down to LA. Find a place to call my own and try to fix up, start a brand-new day.” (Neil Young)

I honestly do not know I’m not happy where I am I don’t have much more time I look forward to summer I need to make decisions I seek peace, from the One

Who came to bring peace.