Teaching is not a profession known for instant gratification. Sometimes, we teachers can feel completely unappreciated.
Dubbed
a “thankless job”, teaching comes with many daily challenges. Grading,
meetings, more grading, planning and the seemingly hundreds of tasks we
are charged with can make us feel frustrated and burned out. More often
than not, we take on much more than our job description. Everything
from improving student’s academic abilities to making up for their
inadequate home life leads to a feeling of overwhelm and negativity.
In
his 2009 Reader’s Digest article, “How to Be Thankful and Improve Your
Life”, David Hochman discovers that “life gets better when you adopt
and attitude of gratitude.” In other words, look at life from the “half
full” point of view instead of the “half empty” one. Take time to
appreciate yourself and the positive aspects of your profession.
Here are 12 unexpected reasons to be thankful for being a teacher.
Teachers, Be Thankful For...
1. Your heavy teacher’s bag...
because
it symbolizes your employment. Take a moment to think about how many
people you know who have been laid off. According to The Wall Street Journal, there were over two million people collecting unemployment in early October. Be grateful you are not one of them.
2. The deductions from your paycheck...
which
account for your health insurance. Insurance is expensive. Many of
our students go without medical attention, medication or glasses. In
fact, The US Census Bureau tallied nearly 50 million people without
health insurance in 2010. Appreciate your health coverage.
3. Monday mornings...
because
they come after weekends and holidays off. Not everyone is fortunate
enough to have weekends and holidays off. Many of our spouses may be
required to work Columbus Day, Veteran’s Day and even Thanksgiving or
Christmas. Feel fortunate to have these days off from work.
4. Rising at an early hour...
since
going to work early means you can leave early. Although most of us
take work home at night or on weekends, the actual hours we are required
to be "at the office" allow us to be home at a reasonable hour.
Welcome the idea that you can get home before dinner actually begins.
5. Parent meetings...
because
they are an opportunity to reach out to parents and students. Meeting
with parents is a chance to connect with a family and demonstrate your
willingness to help. Take advantage of the possibility that may make a
positive impact upon parent and student.
6. Student loan statements...
which
are invoices for an educational investment. A good percentage of the
world’s population does not have the opportunity to seek higher
educated. Be thankful for yours.
7. Wearing an ID...
which
can be very useful. Yes, it is annoying - getting caught on everything
and constantly misplaced - but flashing your school ID can get you
discounts at many retail stores. Money saved is certainly something to
be thankful for.
8. A noisy classroom...
which
signifies productivity. Learn to embrace the racket that comes with
learning. Noisy students are discussion books or significant classroom
topics. Be thankful that your students are excited to learn.
9. The pile of unread books on your desk...
because
it is evidence that you can read. According to a 2009 USA Today
article, a federal study found that one in seven US adults cannot read
well enough to comprehend a newspaper article. Acknowledge that the
ability to read makes your life better.
10. A full email inbox...
which
symbolizes your ability to communicate. Out of all the email or
voicemail correspondence we get, there will be a “thank you” from a
parent or a commendation for a job well done. Appreciate the ability to
communicate.
11. A lesson that doesn’t follow the script...
because
it means your students are thinking. Embrace those teachable moments
that may not be part of the master plan. Pride your self on being
confident enough to teach off the cuff once in a while.
12. Challenging students...
who
help you become a better teacher. Meeting a challenge only makes us
stronger and helps us learn more about ourselves. Be thankful for the
opportunity to grow as a person and as an educator.
Help Students Show Gratitude
Share your new found “attitude of gratitude” with your students.
As the holiday season nears, use this Letter of Gratitude Lesson
to share the true meaning of giving thanks with your classes. The
lesson is designed for upper grades, but includes suggestions of how to
adapt it to younger students as well. It incorporates reading and
writing and giving thanks.
Source : teachhub.com