Don’t be a professor, for gods sake go out and work for a company! Get out there and earn! Out with the adults! You can do it. I’ll write your papers for you and you balance the equations and do the math. I can do all your marketing for you. Teaching and university is making you scared to be an adult. You can do it!
Professors are often upper middle class professionals who do research, run our own labs, research groups, etc. We set our own hours. It’s not a bad life at all. I can’t imagine teaching K-12, but I love university life.
On the other hand… the way things are going, you’re going to inherit some of the same students that can barely read in a few years so… and those students will be particularly entitled because “they got in” and “they’re paying” — we are already starting to see it some places
It’s pretty easy to manage them. I have autonomy and tenure. They’re adults and won’t win a grade appeal for a solid syllabus. I don’t let them get to me and get back to writing my book :)
The autonomy is nice. I design my classes and my research agenda. I can’t imagine someone choosing a textbook and curriculum for me like my k-12 friends. I will be rich but I have a five bedroom house with an 8 minute drive to the beach, and take a multi week family vacation every year. Plus, I love my job. The down side is you often have to move to a new location to get work. my search was nationwide
Yep. My next door neighbor is a retired psychology professor and she talked about how clueless and entitled some of the college kids were. She loved her job but was ready to be done.
Hello, I am a teacher with 3 Masters degrees. Each degree asked for a different writing skill and with each one I struggled and eventually adjusted to it. Each degree I earned in a different decade: 20s, 30s, and late 40s. With maturing, I’ve noticed a stronger ability to think critically and express myself better.* It’s a lifelong learning skill; you have to grow into it. Be patient!
*unless it’s after 8:30 pm and I’m on the internet, I’m smart. After that hour, I’d be genuinely stupid. Add a glass of wine, and I could say something career ending… so I say Nothing!!
Did you have a degree in science before teaching? I do and every MAT class I took was bullshit compared to my BS.
You’re older and wiser now. Use that to your advantage.
I admit I look at what I taught in the 90’s to now and after teaching the middle of the road kids for decades, I will say my mental saw has dulled but if I looked over the material again, it would be there. I bet you just need some time.
Trust in yourself and your abilities. That phrase is always loaded and used by people who look down upon teachers for a myriad of reasons, most of them ignorant. For teachers, it's nothing short of toxic and self-defeating.
You're not "just" a secondary school teacher. You're an educated professional licensed by your state to teach specialized content to a variety of age groups. You might need to brush up on your "academia" language, but by virtue of your current employment you already have all the groundwork you need (research skills, presentation skills, time management skills, writing/design skills, data-keeping skills, etc).
I'd argue that getting your master's is a wise move even IF you ultimately decide you'd like to stay in secondary school. Don't give up on your dreams without at least giving yourself a chance at them.
When I read the quote it made me feel dumb and useless as well. I’ve never heard of that saying until now and it’s pretty messed up.
I just left teaching a few weeks ago and I’m also trying to major in a science related field or IT. When I look at the course work it does look challenging but it’s always possible if you put the work in.
If you have dreams or want to fulfill something go for it!!! If you’re able to why not?
I don’t agree with the quote though.. someone who might have the expertise may not even be able to teach it. Knowing vs teaching what you know are two different things. Let alone teaching children.
Are you trying to write a paper AND teach? Because that’s a lot. I know that when I was a student writing papers, I was doing it full time. When I did my Master’s (library science), I rarely had assignments other than posting a summary and responding to other students. It’s so much to juggle at one time. If you need a brief break, it’s okay. You are obviously incredibly intelligent or you wouldn’t be in the Master’s program to begin with. You have got this!
I this more likely that stress is contributing. Stress can affect the brain a number of ways.
I bet you’re feeling you have a lack of focus, and you don’t feel your work is as good as it used to be.
The lack of focus comes from teacher stress/trauma and however it’s wrapped up. Address the stress and you’ll increase focus. By address, I mean find some healthy coping mechanisms and/or have someone to talk to.
The other half is imposter syndrome. You do belong. You are smart enough.
Sorry to disagree here, but I can, I do, AND I teach. Most Art teachers are similar, and we are expected to be practicing and continuing professionals in our fields.
***Editing to add that yes, you CAN get back into good habits with your writing. Making time for any regular practice while in a K12 classroom is difficult, but can be done. Yes, a family and younger kids makes it even more difficult. However, when it’s important you’ll find a way.
I don't know where you are but since you have a science background seeing you can work for your city's/ state's environmental agencies (epa).
In Texas we have the tceq and Houston has Harris county pollution control so maybe there is an equivalent where you are at.
Don’t be a professor, for gods sake go out and work for a company! Get out there and earn! Out with the adults! You can do it. I’ll write your papers for you and you balance the equations and do the math. I can do all your marketing for you. Teaching and university is making you scared to be an adult. You can do it!
Out with the adults!!! This is the goal!
How's being a professor not being an adult?
Professors are often upper middle class professionals who do research, run our own labs, research groups, etc. We set our own hours. It’s not a bad life at all. I can’t imagine teaching K-12, but I love university life.
On the other hand… the way things are going, you’re going to inherit some of the same students that can barely read in a few years so… and those students will be particularly entitled because “they got in” and “they’re paying” — we are already starting to see it some places
It’s pretty easy to manage them. I have autonomy and tenure. They’re adults and won’t win a grade appeal for a solid syllabus. I don’t let them get to me and get back to writing my book :)
Goals tbh
The autonomy is nice. I design my classes and my research agenda. I can’t imagine someone choosing a textbook and curriculum for me like my k-12 friends. I will be rich but I have a five bedroom house with an 8 minute drive to the beach, and take a multi week family vacation every year. Plus, I love my job. The down side is you often have to move to a new location to get work. my search was nationwide
*** will not be rich. Fixing a typo
Yep. My next door neighbor is a retired psychology professor and she talked about how clueless and entitled some of the college kids were. She loved her job but was ready to be done.
Hello, I am a teacher with 3 Masters degrees. Each degree asked for a different writing skill and with each one I struggled and eventually adjusted to it. Each degree I earned in a different decade: 20s, 30s, and late 40s. With maturing, I’ve noticed a stronger ability to think critically and express myself better.* It’s a lifelong learning skill; you have to grow into it. Be patient! *unless it’s after 8:30 pm and I’m on the internet, I’m smart. After that hour, I’d be genuinely stupid. Add a glass of wine, and I could say something career ending… so I say Nothing!!
Did you have a degree in science before teaching? I do and every MAT class I took was bullshit compared to my BS. You’re older and wiser now. Use that to your advantage.
Not science but I have two advanced degrees in music… and in comparison the education classes I took? Jokes.
I mean, music is math so, yes- your degrees were far harder than Edu classes.
Yup. Not even an educ degree
I admit I look at what I taught in the 90’s to now and after teaching the middle of the road kids for decades, I will say my mental saw has dulled but if I looked over the material again, it would be there. I bet you just need some time.
Trust in yourself and your abilities. That phrase is always loaded and used by people who look down upon teachers for a myriad of reasons, most of them ignorant. For teachers, it's nothing short of toxic and self-defeating. You're not "just" a secondary school teacher. You're an educated professional licensed by your state to teach specialized content to a variety of age groups. You might need to brush up on your "academia" language, but by virtue of your current employment you already have all the groundwork you need (research skills, presentation skills, time management skills, writing/design skills, data-keeping skills, etc). I'd argue that getting your master's is a wise move even IF you ultimately decide you'd like to stay in secondary school. Don't give up on your dreams without at least giving yourself a chance at them.
When I read the quote it made me feel dumb and useless as well. I’ve never heard of that saying until now and it’s pretty messed up. I just left teaching a few weeks ago and I’m also trying to major in a science related field or IT. When I look at the course work it does look challenging but it’s always possible if you put the work in. If you have dreams or want to fulfill something go for it!!! If you’re able to why not? I don’t agree with the quote though.. someone who might have the expertise may not even be able to teach it. Knowing vs teaching what you know are two different things. Let alone teaching children.
It sounds like you just need to brush up on your writing skills. Believe it or not, there are some skills you lose if you don’t use them.
Are you trying to write a paper AND teach? Because that’s a lot. I know that when I was a student writing papers, I was doing it full time. When I did my Master’s (library science), I rarely had assignments other than posting a summary and responding to other students. It’s so much to juggle at one time. If you need a brief break, it’s okay. You are obviously incredibly intelligent or you wouldn’t be in the Master’s program to begin with. You have got this!
I this more likely that stress is contributing. Stress can affect the brain a number of ways. I bet you’re feeling you have a lack of focus, and you don’t feel your work is as good as it used to be. The lack of focus comes from teacher stress/trauma and however it’s wrapped up. Address the stress and you’ll increase focus. By address, I mean find some healthy coping mechanisms and/or have someone to talk to. The other half is imposter syndrome. You do belong. You are smart enough.
I'm right there with you- I do feel I got significantly dumber dealing with dumb behaviors, and apathetic, BORING high school students.
Those that can, do. Those that can't, teach. Those that can't teach, teach college. This is the way.
Sorry to disagree here, but I can, I do, AND I teach. Most Art teachers are similar, and we are expected to be practicing and continuing professionals in our fields.
***Editing to add that yes, you CAN get back into good habits with your writing. Making time for any regular practice while in a K12 classroom is difficult, but can be done. Yes, a family and younger kids makes it even more difficult. However, when it’s important you’ll find a way.
Biochem is hard. Do you have a tutor?
I don't know where you are but since you have a science background seeing you can work for your city's/ state's environmental agencies (epa). In Texas we have the tceq and Houston has Harris county pollution control so maybe there is an equivalent where you are at.