Why I Teach

Coming from the corporate world, teaching is a totally different culture.  In the corporate world, we have someone constantly giving us feedback, be it a boss or co-workers.  We usually know where we stand and how our performance is.  We also see the efforts of our work since most things are tangible or measurable.  But what about teaching?

I knew that when I became a teacher, I would have a lot of freedom in my classroom.  However, I did not realize that I would not get much feedback from administrators, mentors or supervisors.  To me, I wanted more than just 3 observations per year (and now only 1 since I am tenured).  Compound that with the fact that you really don't know how much your students will take with them once they leave your class and you can see how tough it must be to know if you really are making a difference, let alone doing a good job!

It made me wonder, why do teachers teach if they rarely get praised and have no clue if they are really helping students?  At times this gets somewhat frustrating as I want to make a difference with my students and I want to teach them things that they can use in the future.  Most of my classes are project based since I believe that application (as opposed to memorization) is the best form of learning.

I have realized that this is the best way I can see if I am really helping students learn.  By focusing on projects, I have been able to see more tangible results.  I can see students improve their computer technique throughout the year.  I have even had students come back after leaving my classroom to say that they have used something I taught them.

I also try to stay focused on real world applications in my classes.  Luckily, I can bring many years of corporate experience to my lessons.  I constantly give examples and stories of how what they are learning has been and can be used outside of school.  Doing this, brings a more personal atmosphere to my classroom.  It makes my day to hear students say that mine is their favorite class, or to hear them mention that mine is the only class they do work in (!!??).

As educators, sometimes we have tough days and feel defeated.  We start to get frustrated by those 1 or 2 classes that drive us crazy.  We question if what we are doing is making a difference.  Then, out of nowhere, a student will show you something they did in another class using a technique learned in your class.  Or a student struggling with grades in other classes says how much they enjoy yours.  You ask why and they say, "Because you get it, you get students".

I had that exact conversation with a student this year.  That is why I teach.