I just got back from a (quite successful) shopping adventure with my mom and sister. While we were in Gap, somehow my sister managed to tell the salesperson that I was planning to move to Chicago and be a teacher. The girl-who was probably a year or so younger than me-then proceeded to come into my dressing room (the door was open, but still) and tell me "You are gonna be so poor." That is an exact quote. Earlier today, my mom told me a story about how someone she worked with told her, "You know you don't make much teaching." All of this prompted me to just let everyone know that these things are inappropriate. I've had people say all kinds of things to me, including:
- Teaching is really the best job for raising a family.
- You'll need to make sure you marry a rich man.
- I can't believe you want to teach inner-city kids.
- When you get summers off, you shouldn't get paid very much.
Now, my friends know that I joke about not making much money in my career. However, if you don't know me at all (or even if you do), it's NOT OKAY to say things like this. Be happy for me. Say that you are glad I'm planning to help others. Tell me that you wish me well. Those things are okay, but any of the things listed above aren't. I've come to a point where I'm gracious enough to just smile and go along with people when they say offensive things....I know that they won't understand that this has been my dream since I was a little girl. But just because I smile and listen to what they're saying doesn't mean it doesn't make me angry. Just putting that out there.
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death. -Thomas Paine
About Me
Posts
Labels
- updates (7)
- good times (6)
- school (5)
- teaching (4)
- goals (3)
- Tiger basketball (2)
- clothing (2)
- family (2)
- running (2)
- sports (2)
- Vandy basketball (1)
- children's books (1)
- music (1)
- non-resolution (1)
2 comments:
I totally understand-- I feel the same way. The worst thing someone said to me was "Aren't you too smart to be a teacher? You should do something to improve society instead." AHHH!!!
I'm past the point of letting things like that slip by-- I'm not rude, but I definitely let people know if they have offended me.
I bet you've seen this (it made the fwd rounds on email), but it's pretty good:
The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education.
He argued, 'What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided
his/her best option in life was to become a teacher?' He reminded the
other dinner guests what they say about teachers: 'Those who can, do.. Those who can't, teach.'
To stress his point he said to another guest; 'You're a teacher,
Bonnie.
Be honest. What do you make?' Bonnie, who had a reputation for
honesty and frankness replied, 'You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, then began...) 'Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor winner. I make kids sit through 40
minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5
without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental. You want to know what I make?' (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.) I make kids wonder. I make them question. I make them apologize and mean it. I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions. I teach them to write and then I make them write. Keyboarding isn't everything.
I make them read, read, read. I make them show all their work in
math. They use their brain, not a man-made calculator. I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to
know about English while preserving their unique cultural identity. I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.
I make my students stand, placing their hand over their heart to say
the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, One Nation Under God, because we live in the United States of America.
Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life.
(Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.)
'Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, with me knowing
money isn't everything, I can hold my head up high and pay no
attention because they are ignorant.... You want to know what I make?
I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make Mr. CEO?'
His jaw dropped, he went silent.
Agreed, I'm assuming Sarah My Shufelt wrote this comment and I TOTALLY AGREE! 1. it doesn't matter how much I make, I pay the bills and still can travel, and do pretty much anything I want to do. 2. I'm makig less that most people in teaching right now, but i'll make more every year. 3 why does it matter, I have more love in my life than the average human being and I think THAT is MUCH better!
I've been told all those things plus you are too smart. I've also been told, You make a great teacher, the kids love you, you have instilled a love of learning in my child, you have taught the kids so much this year, you will be missed..and many other things along these lines...these words make teaching worthwhile, and they are the ones you'll remember when you are in the field
Blow those people off or tell them...I make a difference
the whole forwarded e-mail thing made my facebook for awhile I was so sick of hearing about the money thing! :)
LOVE YA HON!
Post a Comment