Top 10 Signs You Should Not Become a Teacher

As a PhD student at a great southern university, I have had the privilege to teach future teachers how to teach.  The upside of this is that I am helping to mold promising minds that will shape our country’s future.  The downside of this is that I get to see the people that should not be teachers try their hardest to be teachers.  It is unfortunate that education has opened its doors so wide that people who really do not know what career choice to make decide that they will “try out” teaching.  It is distressing to know that the people teaching our children in America chose to become a teacher on a whim or because they didn’t like their current job or career.  Obviously the children of the United States are not getting the best and brightest in their classrooms, could this be an indication of things to come? 

Here are some of my observations.

10. You do not like following state and government regulations.  Education is continually becoming more and more regulated by the government.  If you are someone who doesn’t like obeying the law, don’t be a teacher.

9.  You do not like people to tell you what you are doing is not the best way to do something.  If you cannot handle experienced teachers helping you by telling you easier ways of doing things in your classroom, don’t be a teacher.

8.  You do not like working with others.  Teaching requires a vast amount of ability to work in a group of other teachers, administrators and other staff.  If you cannot work in a group in college, don’t be a teacher.

7. You just want a job with easy hours and summer’s off.  In order to be a good teacher, you must spend time outside of the classroom building your teaching skills, curriculum skills, and classroom management skills.  If you don’t want to work, don’t be a teacher.

6.  You have poor self esteem and you want people to look up to you.  Believe it or not, it is obvious and pathetic when a teacher get’s their self worth from their students.  Unfortunately when a student decides that he/she hates you and wants to make your class a chaotic mess, your self esteem will severely suffer.  If you don’t already have good self esteem, don’t be a teacher.