I was browsing the experience.com education website and read their most recent article:
The article asks teachers what they love about the job and then lists their responses:
1. The Students
2. Responsibility
3. Creative Work
4. Summers Off
5.Other Faculty
6. Variety
While I certainly agree with "the students," "creative work," and "other faculty," I thought of some other reasons why I want to get into the field.
Social Justice
This can be viewed from two lenses. 1- Highly qualified and critical teachers are not being employed in large numbers in poor communities of color. Attempting to correct this disparity on an individual level is one motivation.
Then there is also the idea of trying to help students develop critical lenses with which to analyze and critique society in a way that leads to an understanding of institutional injustices and curricular forms of oppression. Furthermore, a radical teacher might be able to work with students on activist projects towards justice and liberation.
Teaching What You Love
I can't get away from this. I love books. I love reading. I love the stories. The conflicts. The characters. The writer's vision. There is a sense in which a good teacher should want to teach because they truly love the work of the domain they are teaching.
Public Service
I have to admit, I also am on the public service kick. As a teacher you are employed by the state to hopefully help transition youth into critical and actualized members of society, who are productive members of your community.
I would love it if you all would write in what it is attracts you about education!
Love and Solidarity,
Marc Engel
2 comments:
I thought it odd that you separated social justice and public service. The type of social justice you advocate is public service, right? Setting aside this minor technicality, I whole heartedly agree with your additions. I would also add "challenging" to the list. Every day teachers are faced with new challenges, whether they come from students, faculty, the administration, or political developments. This profession offers teachers unlimited opportunities to improve their trade.
I would add the human connection. It is a powerful experience to be connected to other human beings through work.
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