You Could Possibly Survive Being a Teacher If...

1. You like kids.

And I don't just mean, you "kinda" like kids.  If you like your adorable, demure nieces and nephews who crow your name and shower you with kisses, that doesn't count.  Everyone likes that.  If you like cute kids in the grocery store, that also doesn't count.  I don't mean the idea of kids, either.  You have to really like kids - the ugly ones, the pretty ones, the snotty ones, the sassy ones, the rich and poor ones, the ones that are just a little weird, and you have to like being with them ALLLLL day.

2. You can deal with messes.

And I don't just mean "Miss Sunshine, I'm having a difficult time organizing my reading folder" messes.  I'm talking about snot, poop, blood, puke, tears, mud, grass, sand, and any other nasty thing you could imagine a kid getting into.  It'll happen.  Think through that one before you sign on for "Freshman Seminar in Education".

3. You have thick skin.

Kids are precious.  They will tell you things like "I love you, Miss Sunshine", "You're my favorite teacher ever, Miss Sunshine", "You're so beautiful, Miss Sunshine".  That's nice.  They will also tell you things like "I hate school", "Why are you so mean?!", "This is boring", "Why don't we ever get to do fun things like they do in Ms. ___'s class?".  That's not the end of it.  You'll catch criticism from their parents too.  "Why isn't my child on the honor roll this week", "You need to do something about this", "My kid needs more personalized attention".  If you have onion skin, forget it.

4. You like having fun.

Fun-haters, beware.  This is not a job for you.  Maybe try cardboard box making instead?  Kids are hilarious, and they'll have you rolling on the floor in riotous laughter.  They have good ideas.  They are whimsical.  They like to play.  If you can harness these qualities and turn them into learning, you will have minds aflame with curiosity and interest. 

5. You are smart.

And I don't just mean book smart, although you have to be that too.  Kids are sneaky, tricky little rascals.  They will get away with as much as you will let them.  They will push buttons, tell lies, and do things behind your back that become the stuff of kid legend.  While it's helpful to have eyes in the back of your head at the time of application, it's not necessary, as they'll develop as you teach.  

6. You're OK with making mistakes.

If you're all about being perfect, flee the teaching field.  The job is never done, the lesson is never perfect, the standardized test is never aced, and your low kid might not be in the gifted program by the end of the year.  You will make more mistakes than you'll care to admit.  If that makes you want to puke, that's OK, just so long as you're willing to face that fear and get over it.  It's hard, but it's not insurmountable.

 

7. You're a spork.

 That is, you can handle doing lots of different things.  Sporks can bore holes in snowbanks, stir hot chocolate, dollop some Daisy on a baked potato, dig a seedling hole in a garden, and complete a miniature 3D version of "American Gothic".  If you think all a teacher does is read picture books and give spelling tests, well, you're silly, and you don't know any teachers.  There's the teaching side of teaching, which involves presenting difficult concepts in multiple ways.  It involves looking at trends and data and assessment and figuring out if what you're doing is even working.  Then there's the business side of teaching, which involves a forest of paperwork, keeping good records and emailing parents.  Then there's the professional side of teaching which means keeping your license up to date and improving your mad teaching skills.

Being these  won't guarantee that you'll be a great teacher, but not being any of them is a pretty sure sign you should find something else to do with your life.

Much love,

Little Miss Sunshine

PS.  #8 is "You can live cheaply"   :)