I wish I knew these 6 things explained here before becoming a teacher.

In the grand scheme of things, becoming a teacher is an incredibly rewarding job. There are so many opportunities for growth and improvement, and most teachers thrive in such a supportive environment. Despite the benefits, becoming a teacher can be difficult. A lot of stress comes with being responsible for your students every single day, and there’s a lot to learn if you don’t know much about education before applying to become one. Here are 10 things I wish I knew before becoming a teacher.

6 Things to Explain Before Becoming a Teacher

#1. I assumed everyone in Training College wanted to be a teacher. Don’t assume everyone wants to teach.

This is the first of the six things I wish I knew before becoming a teacher.  There are a lot of incredible careers out there. If you choose to become a teacher, you’re allowing yourself to become caretakers for people’s futures. As with any career, there’s also the potential for burnout. Burnout is a very real possibility, and it’s not just because teachers are expected to be in the classroom every day. There’s also a lot of pressure to have a certain number of students reach certain levels, and teachers have a lot of control over whether or not they’re successful. Burnout is something that can happen at any job, regardless of the level of stress. It can happen to any person at any time. Assuming that everyone wants to become a teacher can lead to feeling a little insecure, and that can affect your work. If you find that a lot of people in your field have assumed they were in it because they love it, that might help you feel a little less guilty.

What did I learn? Teaching is not for everyone. If it is not your calling, find something else to do. 

#2. I felt I had to be a perfect super teacher… Well, you don’t have to be perfect at everything.

Being a teacher puts a lot of pressure on you, but it’s also a lot of pressure on your students. You’re expected to have a lot of knowledge about a lot of topics; you’re expected to be a role model for your students; and you’re expected to do all of this while still being a person. You aren’t perfect, and you’re also human. This can make being an effective and positive teacher incredibly challenging, and it can also make being a good teacher incredibly rewarding. One of the keys to being a good teacher is realising that you don’t have to be perfect at everything. You don’t have to be the best teacher, you don’t have to be the best student, and you don’t have to be a perfect role model. You can be the best version of yourself and be a great teacher. If you have some areas where you feel you can improve, don’t feel like you have to be perfect in those areas.

What did I learn? Teachers are not perfect beings; do not stress yourself; just work to be your best and innovate.

#3. Teachers are happy all the time. Well, not true. Teachers aren’t immune to anxiety and depression.

Like anyone else, teachers are susceptible to issues like anxiety and depression. While these issues aren’t exclusive to teaching, they are more common. Many schools don’t have the resources in place to address these issues, and so it can be challenging for teachers to get help. Teachers aren’t immune to these issues either. Many come into the profession because they love it, and that can create a lot of pressure to be successful. A lot of teachers feel a sense of pressure to succeed, and that can make them feel like they have to be perfect. When you add in that teachers are expected to have a certain level of stress, it can feel like a recipe for burnout.

What did I learn? Teaching is stressful, and you will constantly have to push yourself through the stress to succeed with your learners in mind. It is not all about talking. 

#4. Being a teacher is a lot more physical than you think.

Becoming a teacher often comes with a lot of expectations that you’re going to be able to multi-task while delivering a lecture or preparing for a test. It’s true that you can learn to multitask while still delivering good instruction, but the truth is that you’re also going to have to be a great physical teacher. Being a teacher requires a lot of physical activity, even if you don’t think about it. You need to be able to stand for long periods of time, you need to be able to work at a desk, and you need to be able to be active in the classroom. Being a teacher often means that you’re challenged to do a lot of physical activities without complaint. You might complain a little, but you’re going to have to make a conscious effort to acknowledge that you aren’t doing it well.

What did I learn? Teaching demands physical fitness, just like the police service. You will often be teaching standing for the rest of your life.

#5. Don’t compare yourself to other teachers.

There are a lot of teachers out there. While it’s nice to have a sense of what other teachers in your field look like and what their salaries are, it’s not always the best idea. One of the keys to being a successful teacher is finding what works for you, and what works for you is what works for your students. There’s no one textbook to becoming a successful teacher, and it’s not something you can put your finger on before trying it out. You can see what other teachers are doing, but you shouldn’t compare yourself to them.

What did I learn? Two teachers are never the same; be unique in all respects. 

#6. Stay connected with your community and network.

One of the best things you can do as a teacher is to stay connected with your community. You should try to be part of your community outside of school, and you should also be part of your community in your school. Being a part of your school, whether it’s being on the student council, serving on the PTA, or even just being a good friend to your teacher, is a great way to stay connected. Networking with people in your field is important, and it’s a great way to stay connected to your community. You’re not going to be the best teacher in the world, but you can make a difference in your students’ lives. That’s something worth celebrating, and it’s something worth networking for.

What did I learn? Great teachers build networks.

Read: English Composition Suggested Answer | BECE 2015 Question 2 (Article Writing)

Final Words

Becoming a teacher is an incredible way to impact students’ futures. It’s also a profession with a lot of challenges, and you need to be ready for everything that comes with it. There are a lot of things you can do to prepare for the job, and these are a few of them. Try to get as much experience outside of school as you can, and focus on developing your teaching skills outside of school as well. Be ready for the physical challenges that come with being a teacher, and be ready for the challenges that come with managing your stress. If you’re ready for the challenge, becoming a teacher can be incredibly rewarding.