Lessons Learned

I've had a lot of jobs in my lifetime... hostess at an Italian restaurant, administrative assistant in an oil marketers lobbying association, Air Force officer, office manager at a technical marketing firm, and most recently child care assistant and then child care director.  I think I've learned something from every single one of those jobs that has contributed to the person I am today, but no other job has opened my eyes and taught me more about myself and who I want to be than working with children.

Like most pre-teen and teenage girls, I spent most of my middle and high school years with pretty steady work as a babysitter.  I knew I liked working with kids, and that combined with my love of teacher's manuals and roll books plus bossing my sister around while playing school were the main reasons I decided on teaching as the next step in my life.  I wouldn't say I went into that decision naively, but I certainly think I had a rather rosy view of the teaching profession.  I haven't changed my mind about teaching, but I have had a lot of revelations about what kind of teacher I want to be and what exactly teaching IS over the past year.  And I'm not even officially a teacher yet--I can't even imagine the "lessons learned" I'll have after my first year of teaching.  So, here is my not all-inclusive, but fairly comprehensive list of this I've learned about being:

A Teacher

• Your primary job is babysitting and discipline.
• It's a major plus if you manage to squeeze in a little education.
• A child will scream and cry and curse you and your family, then ten minutes later be your best friend again.
• Gratitude comes rarely--appreciate it when you get some.
• Nine year olds today are getting into the kind of trouble middle schoolers did in my day.  Don't ever underestimate what kind of mischief or far more serious trouble a child can make just because he or she has an angel face.
• Your biggest battle, far more treacherous than managing a classroom, will be dealing with parents.
• Try to form good relationships with the parents regardless, but don't beat yourself up if there's one that refuses to cooperate.  Usually, it's not really about you, but you make an excellent scapegoat.
• Whining.  Complaining.  Lying.  Tattling.  Get used to it.

A Parent

• No one else thinks your kid is as cute, lovable and perfect as you do.
• When multiple child care givers have the same problems repeatedly with your kid, they're probably not making it up.
• Kids lie.  They exaggerate.  They manipulate.  Get a clue.

A Child Care Giver

• It is highly likely that you are the person that a child spends more time with than anyone else outside of school--including their parents.  Whether you know it of not, you are making a difference in their life.  Try to make it a positive one.

Comments

[Becky aka StinkyLemsky]

Thanks for your comments on my blog lately! I had to nod in agreement with your post - teaching is so much more than you'd ever imagine before you go into it (I was never a full time teacher but I did sub for 5 years during college & just after).

[Anne]

I was looking at your list as "A Teacher" and frankly, that IS the role of *parents* too. I agree with 1-5 and 8. I remember, too, thinking that I hoped the daycare was telling me everything that needed to be told about my child because I know that I have rose colored glasses about her and I do need that heads up. I guess it's hard not to take it personally about the way you are raising your child (which is why people get cranky) but honestly, I would think our goal is that want to raise them so other people (as we as ourselves) will WANT to be around them. At least it is for me. :)

[Jessica]

I think you hit on a good comment re: being a parent. Parents do need to get a clue. I'm not saying all kids are liars, but open your eyes that they do the same things we do, which includes lie.

[la petite belle]

yeah... i think you are right!

[Becky]

I think that you're still a babysitter, even when they're in high school. After hearing stories from other teachers, I was honestly amazed at how bad some of the parents could be nowadays -- and how the burden of proof is on the teacher, not the child.