Last night, DS 2 and I went to the trainer together again. My usual partner was sick, so he filled in. When he got there, he non-chalantly told me that a TEACHER at his school told him today that he was "too smart to be a teacher". It took me a minute to really let that sink in.
I asked him who said it and he said, "I'm not going to tell you. But they think I should be a neuro-surgeon." (FYI: Until recently, DS 2 was looking at the medical field. However, he shared with us not long ago that "if money weren't an issue, I'd be a science teacher." We discussed the fact that you have to go after the thing that makes you passionate, not the thing that makes you a bunch of money.)
Let's just say that my blood was boiling!
I come from a family of many educators AND I married into a family of educators. I've heard the saying, "Those who can't, teach." And I know that education is occasionally a "fall back" degree after someone hasn't done so well in another concentration. But I also know that there are people who are 100% CALLED into teaching regardless of their IQ.
DS 2 said, "I attribute the things I've learned to all my teachers over the years."
I reminded him that he has good genes as well! ;-)
BUT, he was a bit put off by this statement. I guess there's no time like the present for him to REALLY understand the perception that is "out there" in the world about our profession. And he'll also have to learn just how many miserable teachers there are IN the profession.
That, however, does NOT mean that only "dumb" people go into education. Nor does it mean that smart people shouldn't. BUT I know there definitely people in the halls of our educational institutions that should turn around and walk right back OUT the door. The question is, "When will those people who don't belong in the field be SMART enough to get out and do what they are meant to do?"
And that, my friends, is my lesson for today!
13 comments:
That was a horrible thing for that teacher to say.
Also, depending on what part of the country you live in, some teachers get paid very well. There is one school district in my area where the median salary is $80,000. Considering that they get the whole summer off, that is a chunk of change.
I'd certainly say you told it like you see it!!!!
I view teaching as a "calling" as I do nursing and pastoring. I do not have any of these "callings" so I don't know, but I'd think anyone in these professions who is not called would be miserable.
Susan
I was told the same thing in high school: You're too smart to teach. I just said, "I'm too smart NOT to teach!" :)
Wow, that is awful! That person really has a closed mind. How sad. I hope your son goes for his passion. He could make such a difference in many children's lives ... just like his Mom! :o)
Hi Susan, I feel that I was called to be a nurse and it was a special place to work with my little babies...Teachers are special people too... it takes much patience and education to be a teacher...I could have not done that..but I did teach parents many things about the care of their babies...Did you get my email??
Have a great day. Baba
There is a thought that a student can only learn as much as the teacher knows (not entirely true, but you get the idea).
Our teachers should be the subject matter experts, they should be smart.
Maybe this teacher was just trying to encourage your son to reach for the stars and just mis-spoke.
Way to stand up for your profession 'teach'!
AMEN! I can't believe a TEACHER would say that to him... *shakes head* ... I'm with you Susan! I've always told my kids to find a job they WANT to do... not that they've LISTENED to me... but that's what I've TOLD them! LOL!
Oh! I almost forgot what I came to TELL you. I was just wondering if your blog is set to send "pings". If it's NOT, maybe THAT is why we don't get your updates on Google Reader. You look in "Settings", and then "Publishing"... and the bottom choice is Send Pings... it should be set to yes! Go look! Quick! :)
Grrrr!!!!
There is a math teacher at our middle school. He can't teach for beans. He should walk right out the front door and not come back. My Mr. spent all of last year re-teaching to #1. #1 then went to school and taught all the kids in his class...
We need smart kids who can communicate to become teachers! Sign your son up for teacher's school now!!!
I have the utmost respect for teachers. My brother and sister-in-law teach, and each year the "things" of society make it harder and harder. Teaching is the fundamental part of all other professions.
That makes me mad, too!!!! And a TEACHER said this??!!!!!!!!!!
I am reminded today of a teacher I had in the 4th grade. He really inspired me to do better in math. He had an entire bulletin board dedicated to solving problems to equal 0 (zero) through 100, using only 4 fours.
Although I am not a teacher, he inspired/challanged me to learn.
Teaching, done well, is a noble profession, best executed by those who feel they can't NOT teach.
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