Tell me what you *do* like about teaching? Please!

[CrossedToTheDarkSide]

Seriously considering going into primary school teaching. I have a good 2:1 degree and plenty of hands on experience with kids, particularly difficult group settings and foster kids/ emotional and behaviour issues. Have done lots of research and have a good solid plan to get into teaching and back-ups if I really decide it isn’t for me.
BUT I would still love to hear the things that you do enjoy about teaching. The little things that make it seem worth it.
If you have any pearls of wisdom they are greatly appreciated too but not really looking for advice on whether I should go into teaching as my heart is pretty set on it and I feel a real passion and drive for it. But I absolutely love hearing those little “makes me kinda feel like it’s all worth it” moments. Please share!!

I love being with children. Watching them learn, feeding their curiosity. Those amazing moments when a kid finally 'gets' something.
Making a difference in their lives. Some of the children I've taught have been from the most hideous backgrounds, and I feel I've helped in many ways, not just academically.

The work load is tough, and the pressure/constant scrutiny is a bitch. You have to be super organized, an expert multitasker and have extremely thick skin because the criticism is unrelenting. It's amazing though, I wouldn't do anything else.

@Caticorn thank you for the lovely reply! I’ve done a lot with underprivileged kids and seeing them really feel listened to/ cared about and watching them grow and achieve stuff really gives me hope that through all the hard work and awfulness that can come with teaching... I will find it more rewarding that my current soul-sucking 9-5 which I loath with a passion.
I am the sort who needs to feel like my job means something. So even if it is stressful and tough and I doubt myself, I really don’t doubt that I will love that feeling of actually doing a worthwhile and rewarding job! Glad to read a really positive reply. Thank you.

I taught secondary and I just loved being with the children. They can be absolutely hilarious. And if they're not, then you can forgive them as they're children.

The children. Working with them is just brilliant. If you’re ever having a down day, just plonk yourself next to any one of them and it will pick up your mood within 5 minutes.

It doesn’t get said very often either but working with the parents (most of them). I’m a SENCO now so not in the classroom and whilst it’s frustrating when your hands are tied by the budget, just showing that you understand and care about their child and seeing the palpable relief on their face is hugely rewarding. Not to mention how much of a difference we can make to the life the children experience in school.

I genuinely love my job.

@Synecdoche I’ve had some really hilarious comments from the kids I’ve looked after before. It’s one of the best things about working with kids, the great stuff they come out with.

@LooksLikeImStuckHere I think it just makes you feel better about the world for a minute when you get the refreshingly frank and innocent conversations from kids! That’s so lovely to hear you feel like that about the parents and kids. I am really truly excited to be able to feel like I am actually contributing something meaningful to a job in teaching. Even if it’s only in a tiny way. It will mean so much more to me than just making money for a coporation who don’t give a shit about me and who could replace me in a heartbeat.

Don’t get too ahead of yourself, some schools can be pretty cut throat!!

My advice for anyone going into teaching is not to give up before you’ve tried a different school. When you find one that matches it does make life a lot easier.

Good luck!

@LooksLikeImStuckHere oh I wasn’t thinking about the schools compared to my current company I was thinking about the actual teaching element and what you said about making a difference to the kids/ even the parents. I meant it more in the sense that if I have a bad day at work now there really isn’t one single thing about my job that I think “oh well at least that part is worth while” whereas with teaching I would like to think if nothing else I am doing my best to personally make the daily life of the kids and by default the parents a little nicer/ easier etc. For me it would be a great reason to persevere. I appreciate the school itself could be equally as crap as my current company but I would like to think I’ll feel more sentimental/ caring towards the kids than I do about the products/ crap we sell currently!!

Depends on the class

But yes, you’re right!

seeing them really feel listened to/cared about

That’s why I went into teaching. I then found myself wishing away with the time with the children, so it would be 3.30 and I could actually start on my massive massive workload. The paperwork-the bit I couldn’t give a crap about-but the bits that SMT cared about and that my pay was based on.

I hate to be miserable and negative but finding the time to do this just wasn’t conducive with sustaining my mental health and my marriage.

If teaching was just teaching it would be brilliant. Kids are amazing, generally. But what you do doesn't always feel worthwhile-you've got to get a good school where the head lets you do what's best for the kids. Forcing five year olds to write a page every lesson... Not fun, not in their best interests if you ask me. Check your school policies very carefully before you join.

I came from a very similar place when I decided to do a PGCE at 40. I'm 2 years in. I do genuinely love my job. I work with a brilliant, funny supportive staff team. I have a motley crew of kids that entertain me.

The thing that I found was that although I spend all day with the children, I get very little one-to-one time with any of them so I don't feel that I have close relationships with individuals, nor I can support as I would have liked to. I don't have a TA but we do have pastoral staff who have to pick up the pastoral care as I have to teach. Before I started, pastoral care was my focus and interest, far more than the academics. Although I do have a very calm, nurturing classroom- I do have to teach and be accountable for their progress.

It is a tough job- it has had a big impact on my family life and I work 60-70 hours a week. It becomes a way of life rather than a job though. I have no regrets!

DS has been teaching for several years in a large secondary school.

He says that one of the best bits about the job is that no two days are the same. Like most teachers he loves the actual teaching but finds all the side stuff rather wearing at times.

He puts in a lot of hours but has realised that being organized is key and being a perfectionist will probably make you ill in the long term!

I'm just qualifying (abroad) aged 35! The best bits for me are those 'lightbulb' moments, when a child in difficulty understands something, the pupils who stay for a quick chat after lessons about anything and nothing, seeing them enjoy and actively participate in activities, and just the feeling of having a good rapport with a class...
Plenty of bad bits too though-mostly dealing with low-level disruption with a weak slt and no backup... And teenage playground dramas coming into the classroom...

I don't like all my classes when I meet them, but we usually come to an arrangement. Some classes are a delight. Most have something good about them.

I like GCSE/A' Level - older teens are interesting, entertaining and rewarding in the main.

I like the reactions to specific texts - however I've taught them, they're new to the kids.

Often, parents and kids are grateful.

I love working in an English department. Last one turned into a nightmare, but generally I've loved being with the people I work with.

Once, you stop doing things for the kids and your department, it's downhill. Pleasing SLT, Ofsted, unrealistic parents and ever changing systems suck the joy out of the job. In the classroom, it's great.

I only teach 1:1 or small groups but I love getting the know the children really well and seeing them progress. I like figuring out the best way to teach them something and seeing their progress. I like building a relationship with them and their families. They make me laugh a lot. It’s never boring, there’s always something going on, everyday is different and I work with a great team.

I love almost everything about my job.

Every day is a new day.
I get to make a difference for students.
I work with great people.
I am valued.

Being honest, as great as the kids can be, they are also full on and exhausting.

I know OP wanted a positive post but "just being" with the kids can be ... full on.

You have to plan their lessons. You have to keep them on task when they get distracted. You have to keep your patience when they argue with you.

Just being with the children isn't some sort of sunny utopia. One reason I am actually glad I don't do primary is I think I would be exhausted, really!

I love the students. They are so much fun and although they can be a challenge, having that mutual respect is great.
I love being able to teach my subject and share that with students. It's great when someone who hates your subject finds something they enjoy.
I love GCSE and A level results day and celebrating with them.
I like planning and finding new books to teach. It's quite creative.

I teach secondary but the students at generally what makes the job worthwhile. There is never a dull moment and helping them through GCSE and A-level is really hard work but so rewarding.

Today, I had a brilliant lesson with Y7 that left me smiling!

It's the workload and scrutiny that at hard to cope with.

I don't think I'd do anything else though! Even if asda does seem like a good career move sometimes!

I teach SEN children and it's all about making a difference for me. Seeing how far they've come and hearing parents talk about progress that they can see. Knowing that the life skills I teach them now may be the key to them having an independent life in the future.
Plus, the day absolutely flies by. It's definitely not a click watching job.

I teach secondary. I love the kids. They make me laugh every day. I get to do what I love every day (drama). I get to inspire young people to share my passion. I get to put a smile on children's faces just by saying well done or I'm proud of you. I have very low self esteem and depression and teaching gives me a purpose and a reason to get up in the morning.

I could echo all I love the kids posts but to add something different - I love laughing at them. Not with them, although that's fun too, but behind their backs with other teachers. There is an endless supply of random acts of stupidity to amuse ourselves with. We know we shouldn't but we can't help ourselves.

@Holidayshopping I hear you
I also clock watch thinking about the endless list that needs completing from 3.30...

The children, 7th year of secondary teaching now and they still surprise me. They're hilarious, loyal and definitely keep you on your toes.
You bump into them years after you've taught them and they still remember you and things you taught them.
Most of the team I work with are great too, we have s good laugh.

I debated changing careers around Christmas time, but the thought of not teaching upsets me. I love my job and the students I teach.

Echoing others . The children it’s what makes it an amazing job.

I moved from ks2 into ks1 last year, they are amazing no one else has ever asked me what my 3rd favourite dinosaur is. 6 months ago my students couldn’t read, only knew some phonics, now they are independently reading, know all phase 2+3 sounds and we are progressing well through phrase 4.

I don’t even mind the planning and marking that much, I also write a lot of my own materials because I can really tailor it to each class.

I wish I could just stay inside my class, it’s all the outside stuff I hate 🤣🤣🤣