First Q&A with a teacher

I have written this introduction at least five times…

I don’t know about you but I always wanted to know what teachers were actually thinking. We hear things on the news where teachers lose their cool, and some are just not the greatest. I must admit that I sympathize with them on one hand. For the parents that have troubled children or children with special needs, it takes a special type of person to take on teaching their children so that they can succeed in life. Having children myself I’ve often wondered what it is that makes teachers go to work every day to teach these young minds. I had the pleasure of speaking to several teachers on what they thought about being a teacher. One is a Universal PreK (UPK) Teacher and she has been working as a teacher for about 6 years. Below are a list of questions that I believe some parents may want to hear:

1.    What made you want to become a teacher? 

Since I was like 7 Years old, I would play in my room with my black board and stuffed animals and pretend I was a teacher. I would make up homework, do it and check it as if I had students. In 2nd Grade I had a wonderful teacher who made me enjoy coming to school and learn. Over the years I have had some good teachers that cared for their students and some who didn’t. I realized I want to be the teacher that students remember and give them the joy to want to come to school and learn.

2.    As you have been working with children for several years, what is one thing that you are always surprised by? 

I think some things that surprise me is how some kids come to school unkept (dirty). I see the parents pick them up, well dressed and always on their phone and yet their child seems to be dirty or not given any attention to. I know this happens but it still surprises me and makes me feel bad. Another thing that surprises me is when students come to school and don’t know how to hold a crayon or pencil or don’t even know their colors. It makes me realize that some parents don’t spend time with their kids to do the simplest thing like color or talk to them about colors as they walk outside. Another thing that surprised me was when a student said bears are not real. I asked the child if they ever been to the zoo being that they lived in the Bronx and she said no. I was very surprised being that both parents are teachers.

3.    Do you find it difficult to speak to parents sometimes? If so why? 

I always like to have an open communication with my parents. What I found difficult a few times are the parents in denial of their child’s behavior or struggles. Talking to parents that feel that it is only my job to teach them and help them when the first learning begins at home.

4.    What would you recommend parents to do before their children start school? 

I believe parents should teach their child how to be apart from them. That way the first day of school is not a surprise or the hardest day for them. Parents should teach their child how to feed themselves and clean up after themselves. They should also begin to learn what manners are and respect our friends. One main thing is to learn how to listen to authority (teachers, elders). If a child is able to listen and respect their teacher, then they will be able to learn everything else in school. 

5. If you could change anything about the school system what would it be?

I believe how they handle certain situations with students. There is not enough support for students with mental health or behaviors.

6.    What was the most embarrassing thing that has happened in class?

The 2 most embarrassing moments I have had in the school are for one, not able to control a child’s disruptive behavior. It was an uncontrollable moment where it was unsafe for the rest of my kids and even when the principal came, there was no way to calm her down and therefore she destroyed my classroom. Second embarrassing moment was when a student pooped in the classroom during nap-time and then played with it and smeared it all over her clothes and face. We were unaware that this was happening because the child never said they have to go to the bathroom until we began to smell it.

7. Do you think being a teacher has affected your parenting?

Yes I believe it has. It has made me more understanding with my own kids and I understand how important it is to teach them certain life skills that can affect him in school. I realized how important it is to teach them at home the ABCs and writing before my kids started school and how important it is to communicate and work with your child’s teachers to help your child succeed.

8. What is the toughest thing about being a teacher? 

The hard part for me is feeling that I wasn’t able to help every kid succeed. When a student is also going through hardship at home and I am unable to help with that as well. I also find it hard not to have administrative support to back you up as a teacher with parents or students.

9. Is working with fellow teachers similar to working at a regular office job?

Yes. For one there will always be people that don’t get along with one another, gossip, jealousy, and no support from the boss.

10. What is one of the best moments of teaching? 

The best moments are when my students are always telling me “I love you ” you are the best. Having students learn what I taught them, and they are so proud to tell me. To have parents give me compliments and say how their child always talks about me at home and what they learned.