This is actually the most ridiculous, but true statement I’ve heard all week long. I was having a conversation with a teacher who has been in the teaching profession for almost three decades now. She explained her ordeal at the beginning up until a decade ago. In those years (80’s and early 90’s), teacher were at the bottom of the food chain. No parent wanted their child to be a teacher (the same still holds to a large extent now) why? They were outcast and regarded as people who earn close to nothing as a means of livelihood.
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She told me how apartment will be put up for rent and it will be clearly stated that teachers are not welcome. How she spent years in abject poverty despite having a job-A teaching job. Not that I have been oblivious of this fact, but hearing it from someone who witnessed it first-hand meant a lot to me.
Is the teaching profession really worth the pay? Or are teacher getting exactly what they deserve?
I know we have evolved and man people now find the teaching profession attractive, or at least worthy in many developed countries. But I can speak for where I am from, Nigeria, and many developing countries in the world. Teachers are still poor remunerated. This is to create awareness and encourage all in the teaching profession.
I am teacher, not by accident. it is what I wanted to be.
I am the light, I illuminate the path of all I come in contact with.
Behind that Doctor, Lawyer, Scientist, Economist, Astronaut, Engineer,Inventor, Innovator, Governor, Senator, Minister, Accountant, CEO is me, a teacher.
I don't earn enough to live in a mansion, but my heart is big enough to accommodate all my students.
I might walk to school while they drive in their fancy cars. I do not smile LIKE others do on pay day, but I am rich enough with the lives I impact.
I have to put my personal struggles aside to attend to the need of my students. I smile as though every thing is fine just to give my students a brighter future.
I am always fulfilled when my students succeed.
I have to constantly reflect, plan and prepare effective lessons even during holidays when people feel I am resting, claiming I have too many holidays.
despite all that I am, I am a teacher.
I am proud to be a teacher!