Tl; dr- what’s life like as a teacher? The job? The work/life balance? What do you think are the most essential skills needed to thrive in the field?
So, for anyone who wants the long winded version of the question; a little bit of backstory might be necessary. Basically; for the last 16 years I’ve been working entry level in retail. Originally I wanted to move up the ranks in that, and started making some headway with it; but various things over the years made me re-consider that path. I was comfortable. Low pay but low responsibility. No targets on my back. Met my (now ex) wife along the way, and managed to get a roof over our heads between us; and had two girls.
Now; recently; that marriage has fallen apart, for reasons I don’t want to re-live, but this entry level retail job suddenly seems much more terminal than it used to.
(It’s also gone right back down to part time hours -.-) Now I neither have the “it’s only temporary, I’m going to climb the ladder.” Nore “yeah it’s not the dream job but the rest of my life is pretty good” As a crutch to lean on. Couldn’t afford to live near the kids on my own wage; so I had to move back in with family; (4 hour drive away.) I’ve had to do a lot of soul searching to work out what I actually want out of life. Part of this involved writing out a list of the things I enjoy; and a list of all the things I’m good at, and seeing if there was any career prospects where the two met. Highschool English teacher kept coming up.
I’ve never put serious thought into being a teacher before; but the more I think about it; the more it does feel like a pretty good fit for me. I’ve learned over the years that I’m actually pretty good at deconstructing a concept to it’s root form, then reconstructing it in a way people can understand. It’s not a 1:1 “perfectly perfect” job; there are things I need to learn (not least of all, actually getting a Ba in English language and literature, which I’ve just enrolled in.) but the idea is well and truley under my skin. (Plus, I’m reaching the stage of my life where I feel like I need to start taking on more of an advisory role. Blame parenthood for that one.)
Basically; I’m looking for a view from the trenches. What’s the job like once you’re doing it? I hear horror stories of workload and an impossible work/life balance. Are these able to be overcome with good organisation or are they unavoidable? (Baring in mind I’m essentially doing this to spend more time with my kids, I’m wondering if it’s flawed logic)
Also; what skills do you find useful in the day-to-day? Particularly the weird little ones that most newcomers to the field wouldn’t consider?
Thanks in advance :)