I was talking to another teacher the other day about our grade level preferences -- mine for older kids, hers for primary. She said that she once taught pre-school at the same time her own child was pre-school age and that after that school year, she transferred to an older primary level grade. She loved pre-school, but it was just too much to spend all day with preschoolers and then go home to her own little preschooler. All of her patience for that day had been spent on her students, and she had little left for her own little one when she got home.
I understand that dilemma. Often, when I’m out to dinner with family or friends, I will make an unhappy face if a family with rowdy kids is seated near us.
My friends always laugh and say, “You’re a teacher! How can you dislike kids?”
I reply, “I don’t dislike kids. I love kids. But I spend all day with them. When I’m done with my school day, I’d like to just spend some time around adults.”
I don’t think this is unique to teachers either. Before I became a teacher, I worked for years at a law firm. The last thing I wanted to do after work was to go someplace where a bunch of lawyers hung out. Well, OK, I guess nobody wants to hang out with lawyers, but still...
I understand that dilemma. Often, when I’m out to dinner with family or friends, I will make an unhappy face if a family with rowdy kids is seated near us.
My friends always laugh and say, “You’re a teacher! How can you dislike kids?”
I reply, “I don’t dislike kids. I love kids. But I spend all day with them. When I’m done with my school day, I’d like to just spend some time around adults.”
I don’t think this is unique to teachers either. Before I became a teacher, I worked for years at a law firm. The last thing I wanted to do after work was to go someplace where a bunch of lawyers hung out. Well, OK, I guess nobody wants to hang out with lawyers, but still...