How is it that I hate the job that I love?

Think about that really quick… I hate being a teacher, yet I love everything about being a teacher.

I hate how little I get paid.

I hate how much pressure parents, politicians, community members, and administrators put on us.

I hate how much of my own money I spend for my classroom.

I hate that some people don’t value me as an educator.

I hate the weekends, late nights, early mornings, and holidays I spend in my classroom.

I hate all standardized tests.

I hate the amount of work I take home every night.

I hate that some people believe teacher pay should be based on student performance.

I hate that society believes I get summers off.

I hate the expectations put on me as an educator.

I hate that I don’t have enough instructional time each day to fully teach all content areas well.

I hate that I’m too exhausted to have a social life.

I hate that I am actually admitting to hating this profession.

I’m only a year into my career and yet I ask myself if I will be able to do this until I retire. I’m exhausted, I’m sad, I’m frustrated, and I’m angry. I can’t help but be filled with anxiety at the thought of switching careers. I feel as though I was born to teach; yet this job is swallowing my life. I spend too many hours at the school and yet I feel like I have to-do lists that can never be accomplished.

Maybe I’m tired, and we have to agree, everything seems worse when you’re tired, but there are so many things that make teaching a miserable career choice. I’m currently saddened by our government and their ideas for “fixing” education. I'm frustrated with the amount of testing my students have to do. I hate that I have so many students, and yet not enough time to fully reach each of them. 

On the other hand, I walk into my classroom and I know this is where I belong… I look in my kids’ eyes and I can literally see the difference I am making with each of them. I worked hard in college to obtain my certificate and everyday I am thankful that I was chosen for this job.

I love the way my students cheer when they finally understand something that has been difficult for them.

I love how my kids can make me laugh at a time that normally would not be laughable.

I love when my students enter the classroom in the morning and are excited to see me.

I love the support I get from my colleagues, administrators, other staff members, and community members.

And hey, the discounts at stores aren’t too bad either…

I love the stories that my 8-9 year olds come up with.

I love seeing my students wearing scarves and telling me it’s because I wear them all of the time.

I love hearing from supportive parents.

I love how accepting my kids are.

I love seeing the growth of my students, not just academically, but socially and emotionally.

I love hearing the laughter of my entire class mid-lesson.

I love the staff room conversations.

I love when a student says they need a hug.

I love that I am making a difference in tomorrow’s world.

I love that I could go on and on and on with all of the reasons I love being a teacher.

I can’t let all my frustrations overpower the true reason of me becoming a teacher. I chose this career solely based on the lives I get to touch. Knowing that diminishes all the hate.