I love teaching for this reason. At least when it’s not administrative bullshit, “fill out the forms for this miraculous new program,” but the actual interacting with and helping young people grow. If I get my third job I’ll be doing that 7 am - 8 pm basically 7 days a week, but I’m okay with that. Sitting next to a kid and getting them to understand how imaginary numbers work is the thing that makes me not want to kill myself. Explaining to a high schooler that yes, dinosaurs were real… saying “hey this time of year it’s really easy to see Orion,” or saying “yes I absolutely LOVE Ender’s Game! Let’s talk about foreshadowing in that book!”
It’s bullshit work that kills the soul. I’ll teach until I’m hoarse and be happy to be alive.
I love teaching for this reason. At least when it’s not administrative bullshit, “fill out the forms for this miraculous new program,” but the actual interacting with and helping young people grow. If I get my third job I’ll be doing that 7 am - 8 pm basically 7 days a week, but I’m okay with that. Sitting next to a kid and getting them to understand how imaginary numbers work is the thing that makes me not want to kill myself. Explaining to a high schooler that yes, dinosaurs were real… saying “hey this time of year it’s really easy to see Orion,” or saying “yes I absolutely LOVE Ender’s Game! Let’s talk about foreshadowing in that book!”
It’s bullshit work that kills the soul. I’ll teach until I’m hoarse and be happy to be alive.
Thank you for sharing that. I think that passionate teachers are the cornerstone of a good society and healthy community!
That made me think about the Finnish model. I think they are doing this somewhat right. A masters degree is a minimal requirement for teaching at all levels except very early education.
If anybody from Finland reading this could share their thoughts on this that would be amazing. In not from Finland myself.