Real Talk
Umm, succeeding at one’s job is usually synonymous with extra pay, raises, promotions, days off, and free trips. Not for us teachers though – oh no. We don’t get those special perks for doing a job well done. We may be thrown a few doughnuts or a free jeans coupon to pacify us, but our limited time is often taken for granted as more work is given to us.
Teachers have many strengths when it comes to our jobs. When the administration finds out those strengths, they delegate “special assignments” which usually are accompanied by an enormous amount of extra special work. No, we don’t receive any monetary compensation. We just become known as experts in that area and receive more and more “special projects.”
You may be familiar with some of the “specialness” listed below.
1. You get all the behavior problems.
Yes, we may be good with behavioral management, but that does not mean we want half our class filled with the most challenging students. We are not miracle workers, and this is physically and emotionally draining.
This is neither fair to us nor our students. The amount of time behavior modification takes away from teaching and learning is huge.
2. “Professional development is your cup of tea…”
…So you can plan a training each and every Staff Development Day.” Yes, we are very knowledgeable about the curriculum, but it is very time-consuming to plan hours-long sessions on top of everything else we are already doing.
When you bring in others to do professional development sessions, they are usually paid for their time. We are voluntold. “Oh, so you’re good at this? Here’s more work!”
3. If you speak another language, you get to be the resident translator.
Attending extra meetings and writing newsletters for parents in Spanish can be very tiresome. These extra duties that are assigned should be compensated instead of expected.
Knowing two languages is a tremendous asset, but we should be allowed to say no if it interferes with our own responsibilities and or family life.
4. There can never be enough IT specialists on staff.
Once it gets out that you can “fix stuff,” you will be summoned from every corner of the school to come and take a look at all kinds of electronic devices that aren’t functioning properly.
Because of staffing shortages, computer technicians on staff are often non-existent. So if you are good at computer stuff, “Shh, don’t tell anyone.” This will become your second job.
5. Party planners are in demand.
When it gets out that you had an amazing fifth birthday party for your child, your creativity and artistic skills will be used to plan every Science Night, Halloween Carnival, and staff holiday celebration.
Once again, if this is something you love, go for it. But when it becomes expected and you get absolutely no help, this becomes a huge time suck.
Yes, we do mind.
When a teacher is especially good at their jobs, the administration seems to think we are so appreciative that they chose US.
“Oh my goodness yay, thank you, thank you for adding something else that I have to do while I should be watching my child play soccer.”
The honest truth is we would love to do these extra projects that we are good at if you would remove some of the redundant, unnecessary paperwork that has absolutely no real importance at all.
We can’t do it all, and the fact that our time isn’t valued and respected is the real problem here.
